Tricuspid surgery for tricuspid regurgitation: review

The tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is so-called ‘functional’ rather than organic. And therefore, it was originally thought that in most patients with secondary TR, surgical treatment of the left side heart valve would correct the problems of the TR. However, in recent study, the residual or recurrent TR showed poor prognosis after the surgery and the tricuspid valve is called ‘forgotten’ valve. The anatomy and pathophysiology of the tricuspid valve are shown as three-dimensional structure which is different from the “saddle-shaped” mitral annulus, and the finding suggests that an annuloplasty for TR is different from that for mitral regurgitation. The indication of tricuspid annuloplasty (TAP) for TR is not only the degree of TR but also annular dilatation without TR at the time of surgery. Tricuspid annuloplasty shows better long-term results after surgery than replacement and additional procedure may be required to prevent recurrence of TR after TAP. In this review, indication, the therapeutic procedures and prognosis depend on surgical procedure with or without ring or additional procedures are reviewed.