Tricuspid Valve Repair with Artificial Chordae in a 72-Year-Old Woman

Abstract

Expanded polytetrafluoroethylene sutures have been used for the replacement of chordae tendineae since 1985, especially for mitral valve prolapse. There are only a few reports of artificial chordae tendineae to treat tricuspid valve regurgitation. We report on a 72-year-old woman in NYHA class III preoperatively, who underwent successful tricuspid valve repair after preoperative echocardiography revealed tricuspid valve regurgitation grade IV, caused by prolapse of the anterior leaflet (A1–A2) and annular dilatation. Tricuspid valve repair was performed using artificial chords consisting of two polytetrafluoroethylene sutures and a ring annuloplasty. Postoperative echocardiography revealed mild tricuspid valve regurgitation of less than 1°, even after three years. Gore-Tex® sutures as used in mitral valve repair are an excellent option to replace chordae tendineae in tricuspid valve prolapse. This approach represents a safe and effective technique for tricuspid valve repair.

Key words

Cardiac - tricuspid valve - surgical equipment (instruments, sutures, etc.) - heart valve surgery

References

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