Tricuspid valve repair and pulmonary valve replacement in adults with repaired tetralogy of Fallot

Abstract

Background

Pulmonary valve replacement (PVR) often is performed in adults with repaired tetralogy of Fallot (TOF). For patients who have tricuspid regurgitation (TR), tricuspid valve (TV) repair associated to PVR is still debated.

Objective

We sought to evaluate perioperative factors related to TV repair when performed at the time of PVR in patients with repaired TOF.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed 104 patients with repaired TOF (or its equivalent) who underwent PVR (2002-2014).

Results

Mean age at initial complete correction and at PVR was 20.1 ± 17.2 months and 26.3 ± 9.5 years, respectively. Forty-one patients had significant preoperative TR: 24 were moderate (group M) and 17 were severe (group S). A total of 16 TV repair were performed (8 for each group). Moderate and severe tricuspid regurgitation observed in the first year following the initial complete repair were significantly associated with severe TR at PVR (P < .001). In group M patients, TR was improved regardless of TV repair, whereas, in group S, residual significant TR was reported in 7 patients who did not have TV repair. No cases were observed for patients who underwent concomitant TV repair (P = .002). Among these patients with residual significant TR, 2 needed a tricuspid valve replacement. The functional status (New York Heart Association classification) of group S patients was significantly improved by concomitant TV repair.

Conclusions

In adults with repaired TOF, TV repair is a safe procedure when performed at the time of PVR. If, at mid-term follow-up, there is probably no benefit of TV repair when preoperative TR is moderate, TV repair may improve both tricuspid valve function and functional status of the patients in case of severe preoperative TR.