Introduction
There exists a general consensus regarding the surgical management of functional tricuspid valve regurgitation (FTR) [
1,
2]. Surgical approaches to FTR encompass a range of methods, including semicircular suture annuloplasty (De Vega), annular plication (Kay method), annular ring annuloplasty techniques, and valve replacement. Annuloplasty rings, prostheses affixed to the natural valve annulus, play a crucial role in correcting annulus dilation, reshaping it, facilitating complete leaflet closure during systole, and complementing valve repair [
3]. The evolution of annuloplasty rings initiated with Carpentier’s groundbreaking application of the first rigid ring procedure in humans, followed by the introduction of flexible ring materials by Duran and Cosgrove. Notably, flexible rings offer a significant advantage over rigid ones by allowing physiological movement of the tricuspid annulus [
4,
5]. In light of the absence of a definitive ideal repair method, the anticipation is for new approaches to emerge, contributing to the diversification of future FTR operations.
This study aims to identify the most suitable method by analyzing the clinical and echocardiographic outcomes associated with various annuloplasty techniques applied for FTR, both pre and post-surgery.
Material and method
Study design and patient population
Methods
Retrospectively, we analyzed the data of 735 patients who underwent open-heart surgery at the Cardiovascular Surgery Clinic of Türkiye Yüksek İhtisas Training and Research Hospital between April 2007 and June 2013. These patients received tricuspid valve intervention for FTR. Exclusion criteria include patients under 18 years of age, those who underwent surgery due to dilated cardiomyopathy, endocarditis, rheumatic or organic tricuspid valve disease, tricuspid stenosis, those who underwent emergency heart surgery, and those who developed renal failure in the postoperative period. Patients with a transvalvular permanent pacemaker during valve repair and those requiring a transvalvular permanent pacemaker in the postoperative period were also excluded. The final study cohort comprised 379 patients after excluding those with incomplete data. The patients were non-randomly categorized into four groups based on the specific annuloplasty method applied to the tricuspid valve.
Groups
Group 1 (De Vega annuloplasty, n = 156).
Group 2 (Kay annuloplasty, n = 60).
Group 3 (Flexible Duran ring annuloplasty, Medtronic, Minneapolis, Minnesota, n = 122).
Group 4 (Semi-Rigid Carpentier-Edwards ring annuloplasty, Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, Calif, n = 41).
Data collection
Demographic, clinical, and operative data, along with postoperative follow-up results, were sourced from patient files, hospital archives, and clinical computer records. The New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification determined the preoperative and postoperative functional capacities of all patients. Transthoracic echocardiography findings were compared among the four groups for preoperative, early postoperative, and long-term assessments. Analysis parameters included the postoperative reduction in systolic pulmonary artery pressure (SPAP), regression in FTR grade, regression in NYHA functional capacity, and other clinical conditions.
Postoperative data
The early postoperative data collected within the first month after surgery includes 362 patients, excluding 17 patients who succumbed within the initial 30 days. In order to determine the postoperative 5-year survival, inquiries were conducted through the patient registration system. The long-term postoperative data of 351 patients are based on the most recent examinations conducted in our clinic.
Surgical procedure
Following the induction of general anesthesia, routine intraoperative assessments were conducted on patients. A 7 F catheter was placed through the right internal jugular vein post-intubation. Electrocardiographic data obtained via five electrodes on the back were continuously monitored. Standard median sternotomy was performed on all patients, utilizing an air-powered saw for those with a history of prior open-heart surgery. Access to the heart was achieved through a combination of blunt and sharp dissection. Anticoagulation was attained with heparin at a dose of 300 IU/kg, and its effects were monitored using activated clotting time (ACT), with additional heparin administered as necessary to maintain an ACT above 400 s.
Aortic cannulation was uniformly performed using a 24 F (curved tip) cannula. Bicaval venous cannulation (32 F from the right atrial appendage to the superior vena cava and a 36 F cannula from the right atrial wall to the inferior vena cava) was implemented to initiate cardiopulmonary bypass. Rectal temperature was monitored, and upon initiating bypass, the patient’s temperature was reduced to 30–32 °C. Continuous perfusion with non-pulsatile flow commenced following aortic cross-clamping. Cold cardioplegia, administered via both antegrade and retrograde routes, induced diastolic arrest. Myocardial protection was further ensured through topical hypothermia using a 0.9% NaCl solution at + 4 °C. A membrane oxygenator was employed in all cases, maintaining hematocrit between 20% and 25% during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Pump flow was maintained between 2 and 2.2 L/min/m² with non-pulsatile flow, and average arterial pressure was sustained at 50–60 mm/Hg throughout the cross-clamp period. Valve repair techniques were chosen based on the surgeon’s discretion.
For De Vega annuloplasty, the “annulus constriction” method involved passing both ends of a 2/0 polypropylene pleated suture through the anteroseptal commissure, proceeding from the annulus. The suture traversed the annulus intermittently, reaching the posteroseptal commissure. Both ends were then passed through a new pledget and tightened to a specific extent, adjusted using a 50 ml syringe with a ring scale or manually to match the width of two fingers. Kay annuloplasty utilized two concentric 2/0 Ethibond sutures, effectively obliterating the posterior leaflet and creating a bicuspid AV valve. Manual adjustment to a 50 ml syringe or two-finger width assessed the adequacy of the repair. For ring annuloplasty, the ring size was determined through measurement, attached to the annulus with 2/0 Ethibond sutures passed in a U-shape parallel to the annulus. Sutures avoided the annulus of the septal leaflet to prevent damage to the AV node and conduction system, ensuring correct positioning within the tricuspid ring. Right ventricular filling with a syringe concluded the procedure, and valve function was assessed.
Closure of the right atriotomy utilized a 5/0 polypropylene suture. Cardio-pulmonary bypass (CPB) was terminated upon removal of the cross-clamp on the ascending aorta, following adequate heart warming and contraction strength.
Echocardiographic monitoring
In the patient follow-up, transthoracic echocardiography (Vivid 7 Dimension, GE Medical Systems, Horten, Norway) was conducted utilizing a 2.5-3.5 MHz transducer. Standard M-mode measurements were performed in accordance with the guidelines of the American Society of Echocardiography. Ejection fraction (EF) calculations employed the modified Simpson method based on two-plan apical (2 and 4-cavity) images [
6].
Evaluation of FTR utilized color Doppler on the apical four-cavity image. Continuous wave Doppler was employed to obtain the peak tricuspid regurgitant flow velocity, and the right ventricle-right atrium peak pressure gradient was calculated using the modified Bernoulli equation. The systolic pulmonary artery pressure (SPAP) value was determined by adding the right atrial pressure to this measurement [
7].
The grading of FTR was categorized into four classes based on the distance of the regurgitation jet flow from the cardiac apex in a four-cavity view: 1° TI for less than 15 mm, 2° TI for 15–30 mm, 3° TI for 30–45 mm, and 4° TI for more than 45 mm [
8].
Statistical analysis
The data acquired in this study underwent analysis using the IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS for Windows, Armonk, NY, Version 22.0.0; IBM, 2013, IL). Continuous variables were expressed as mean ± standard deviation, while categorical variables were presented as numbers and percentages. Cross-tabulations were performed using Chi-square and Fisher’s exact chi-square tests. For parametric data, One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was employed, while non-parametric data were assessed using the Kruskal-Wallis test.
To evaluate preoperative, early, and long-term results within each group, Repeated Measures ANOVA was utilized for parametric data, and the Friedman test was applied for non-parametric data.
In instances where differences were observed following variance analyses, post hoc assessments were conducted. Specifically, Kruskal-Wallis and Friedman tests, along with post hoc multiple comparison tests such as Bonferroni, were employed to identify specific pairs exhibiting significant differences.
A p-value of less than 0.05 was deemed statistically significant in all analyses.
Discussion
Tricuspid valve regurgitation (TR) is a prevalent condition often associated with left heart pathologies, particularly termed Functional Tricuspid Valve Regurgitation (FTR) when linked to right heart dilation, afterload, and preload. Current consensus and guidelines strongly advocate for addressing the tricuspid valve during surgery for the primary pathology [
9]. While tricuspid valve repair has become the preferred surgical approach for FTR, valve replacement is generally recommended for cases of organic tricuspid regurgitation [
10]. FTR patients undergoing tricuspid valve repair, as demonstrated in a study by Kevin et al., have shown acceptable short- and long-term mortality rates [
11]. Similarly, our study, consistent with previous findings, did not identify significant mortality rates during the 5-year follow-up of patients who had undergone surgery for FTR.
A primary concern for patients undergoing valve repair for FTR is the potential persistence of FTR in the future. The degree of residual tricuspid regurgitation and its impact on clinical outcomes play a crucial role. Brescia et al. reported in a 14-month follow-up study that although residual tricuspid regurgitation was observed in patients who had undergone valve repair for FTR, the occurrence of moderate to severe regurgitation was minimal [
12]. Similarly, in our study, while residual tricuspid regurgitation was detected in patients who had undergone valve repair, there was a significant reduction in cases with severe regurgitation following the operation.
Since the recognition of the need to repair FTR, various repair methods have been developed. The annular plication technique, known as the Kay method, was one of the initial approaches in FTR operations, involving leaving the posterior leaflet outside and creating a bicuspid tricuspid valve [
13]. However, due to unsatisfactory long-term outcomes of Kay suture annuloplasty, new methods, such as the De Vega technique introduced by De Vega, have emerged. The De Vega technique entails narrowing the dilated annulus around the anterior and septal leaflets using purse-string sutures [
14]. Carpentier introduced the first rigid ring annuloplasty in 1974, two years after the De Vega technique [
15]. Over time, annuloplasty rings have become more diverse, including semi-rigid, flexible, and biodegradable rings, better accommodating the annulus’s nature and allowing for movement.
In a study conducted by Hata et al., different ring annuloplasty methods did not show a significant difference in long-term survival, but ring annuloplasty was advantageous in reducing the degree of FTR based on the mean TR degree [
16]. Furthermore, a meta-analysis conducted by Di Mauro et al. analyzed data from 31 studies involving 9,663 patients who had undergone surgery for FTR. The analysis aimed to comprehensively evaluate outcomes across studies. The results indicated that the ring annuloplasty method for FTR demonstrated superior survival outcomes compared to the suture annuloplasty method or the option of not operating on the tricuspid valve [
17]. Another study examined the long-term effects of the Rjit ring and De Vega annuloplasty in FTR operations, yielding varying findings regarding survival. While the type of operation did not significantly impact survival, rigid ring annuloplasty showed potential benefits in reducing tricuspid regurgitation severity in the long term. Both rigid and flexible annuloplasty techniques were effective in FTR operations, with the rigid ring annuloplasty technique associated with lower tricuspid regurgitation severity [
11]. In the present study, the 30-day mortality rate was significantly higher in Group 1 compared to other techniques in FTR operations. However, there was no difference in 5-year survival rates among the groups.
In a study conducted by Fang et al., 148 patients with FTR were analyzed and divided into three groups: 58 patients underwent the Cosgrove-Edward technique, 62 patients underwent the Kay technique, and 29 patients underwent the De Vega technique. After a mean follow-up of 7 months, all groups showed significant regression in the degree of tricuspid regurgitation compared to the preoperative period. Similarly, there was a significant improvement in NYHA functional class values postoperatively compared to preoperative values. The study indicated that the group receiving annuloplasty showed statistically superior outcomes in these parameters compared to the other techniques [
18]. A study by Navia et al. analyzed 2,277 patients who had undergone tricuspid valve operation in conjunction with mitral and aortic valve operations. The study revealed that a rigid tricuspid annular ring was used in 26% of patients, a flexible ring in 46% of patients, the De Vega technique in 5.7% of patients, Peri-Guard in 8.1% of patients, the Kay method in 11% of patients, and the end-to-end leaflet suture technique in 3.5% of patients. After a 5-year follow-up, it was reported that rigid and semi-rigid annuloplasty techniques were superior in preventing recurrent or progressive tricuspid regurgitation [
19].
Our study observed a significant decrease in tricuspid regurgitation and improvement in NYHA functional capacity in the postoperative period across all surgical methods compared to preoperative values. When comparing annuloplasty methods in terms of tricuspid regurgitation, SPAP, and NYHA functional capacity changes, the parameters were statistically significantly more favorable in patients who had undergone ring annuloplasty compared to those who had undergone suture annuloplasty.
Conclusion
In conclusion, ring annuloplasty techniques have demonstrated superiority over other methods in reducing SPAP, regressing TR, and improving NYHA functional capacity in repairs of FTR. Whether utilizing flexible or semi-rigid rings, tricuspid ring annuloplasty proves to be an effective and safe approach for tricuspid valve repairs, with no significant increase in mortality or morbidity.
Publisher’s Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.