Circulation Journal Official Journal of the Japanese Circulation Society http://www. j-circ.or.jp plasty ring over suture annuloplasty. 4, 9 We have consistently performed TAP using a flexible ring or band for >10 years.This study assessed late survival and freedom from recurrent or progressive FTR following TAP for FTR. Additionally, the effect of residual TR on late outcome was investigated.
MethodsThis retrospective study was approved by the institutional review board. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 220 patients (mean age, 65.4±11.4 years; range, 16-83 years) who underwent TAP for FTR in the setting of mitral valve surgery at Kobe City Medical Center General Hospital between January 2000 and December 2010. Of 220 patients, 160 (72.7%) underwent mitral valve repair (MVP), and 60 (27.3%) underwent mitral valve replacement (MVR). Patient preoperative characteristics are listed in Table 1. With regard to mitral etiology, degenerative entities comprised 94% in patients who had MVP, and rheumatic disease accounted for 87% in those unctional tricuspid regurgitation (FTR) mainly occurs because of tricuspid annular dilation and right ventricular enlargement and/or right ventricular dysfunction in mitral valve diseases. 1,2 FTR causes further right ventricular dilatation, dysfunction, or more annular dilatation, subsequently worsening FTR. 1 Increasing severity of FTR is associated with poor survival in healthy men irrespective of left ventricular function or pulmonary hypertension. 3 Despite improved understanding of FTR and its surgical management, reports of late survival associated with FTR are limited. Guenther et al showed that 10-year survival after tricuspid annuloplasty (TAP) was 46%, 4 and Pfannmuller et al showed that 5-year survival was approximately 60%. 5 Persistent FTR after mitral prosthetic replacement is reported to be a risk factor for postoperative congestive heart failure and late mortality. 6 In redo series of mitral valve surgery, persistent FTR had a negative effect on late survival. 7 FTR after TAP in redo valvular surgery also affected late outcome. 8 Evidence supports the superiority of TAP with an annulo- We assessed late outcome after tricuspid annuloplasty (TAP) using a flexible band or ring for functional tricuspid regurgitation (FTR).