PTFE band tricuspid annuloplasty
The Department of Emergency Surgery for Acquired Heart Diseases, A. N. Bakulev Research Institute of Cardiovascular Surgery, Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, performed tricuspid plastic repair using a PTFE band in 28 patients in the period from May 2009 to November 2010. A 5-cm ordinal PTFE band (EKOFLON, Saint Petersburg, Russia) was used, by implanting it along the perimeter of anterior and pos terior cusps by П-shaped sutures and going 5 mm beyond anterior septal and posterior septal commissures. The validity of the repair was estimated via control water hydraulic loading. The immediate results of tricuspid valve repair with a soft support ring were satisfactory. Hospital mortality was 11%; in the early postoperative period 3 patients died of causes unrelated to tricuspid valve disease. At discharge, the peak gradient across the tricuspid valve was in the normal range; over grade 1 regurgitation was seen in none case; there were lower estimated right ventricular pressures. Atrioventricular conduction disturbances were absent. This procedure is a simple and effective method for the correction of the tricuspid valve, which permits recovery of its function with good hemodynamic results.