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Objective: The study objective was to analyze survival and incidence of Fontan completion of patients with single-ventricle and concomitant unbalanced atrioventricular septal defect., Methods: Data from 4 Dutch and 3 Belgian institutional databases were retrospectively collected. A total of 151 patients with single-ventricle atrioventricular septal defect were selected; 36 patients underwent an atrioventricular valve procedure (valve surgery group). End points were survival, incidence of Fontan completion, and freedom from atrioventricular valve reoperation., Results: Median follow-up was 13.4 years. Cumulative survival was 71.2%, 70%, and 68.5% at 10, 15, and 20 years, respectively. An atrioventricular valve procedure was not a risk factor for mortality. Patients with moderate-severe or severe atrioventricular valve regurgitation at echocardiographic follow-up had a significantly worse 15-year survival (58.3%) compared with patients with no or mild regurgitation (89.2%) and patients with moderate regurgitation (88.6%) (P = .033). Cumulative incidence of Fontan completion was 56.5%, 71%, and 77.6% at 5, 10, and 15 years, respectively. An atrioventricular valve procedure was not associated with the incidence of Fontan completion. In the valve surgery group, freedom from atrioventricular valve reoperation was 85.7% at 1 year and 52.6% at 5 years., Conclusions: The long-term survival and incidence of Fontan completion in our study were better than previously described for patients with single-ventricle atrioventricular septal defect. A concomitant atrioventricular valve procedure did not increase the mortality rate or decrease the incidence of Fontan completion, whereas patients with moderate-severe or severe valve regurgitation at follow-up had a worse survival. Therefore, in patients with single-ventricle atrioventricular septal defect when atrioventricular valve regurgitation exceeds a moderate degree, the atrioventricular valve should be repaired., (Copyright © 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To investigate the effect of variable tricuspid annular reduction (TAR) on functional tricuspid regurgitation (FTR) and right ventricular (RV) dynamics in ovine tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy., Methods: Nine adult sheep underwent implantation of a pacemaker with an epicardial lead and were paced at 200 to 240 bpm until the development of biventricular dysfunction and functional TR was noted. During reoperation on cardiopulmonary bypass, 6 sonomicrometry crystals were placed around the tricuspid annulus (TA) and 14 were placed on the RV epicardium. Annuloplasty suture was placed around the TA and externalized to an epicardial tourniquet. After weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass, echocardiographic, hemodynamic, and sonomicrometry data were acquired at baseline and during 5 progressive TARs achieved with suture cinching. TA area and RV free wall strains and function were calculated from crystal coordinates., Results: After pacing, changes in left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction and RV fractional area decreased significantly. Mean TA diameter increased from 25.1 ± 2.9 mm to 31.5 ± 3.3 mm (P = .005), and median TR (range, 0-3+) increased from 0 (0) to 3 (2) (P = .004). Progressive suture cinching reduced the TA area by 18 ± 6%, 38 ± 11%, 56 ± 10%, 67 ± 9%, and 76 ± 8%. Only aggressive annular reductions (67% and 76%) decreased TR significantly, but these were associated with deterioration of RV function and strain. A moderate annular reduction of 56% led to a substantial reduction of TR with little deleterious effect on regional RV function., Conclusions: A moderate TAR of approximately 50% may be most advantageous for correction of functional TR and simultaneous maintenance of regional RV performance. Additional subvalvular interventions may be needed to achieve complete valvular competence., (Copyright © 2019 The American Association for Thoracic Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term clinical and hemodynamic influences of prophylactic tricuspid annuloplasty (TAP) in patients with less-than-moderate tricuspid regurgitation (TR) who underwent mitral valve replacement (MVR)., Methods: Between November 1994 and December 2010, 293 patients with less-than-moderate TR who underwent primary mechanical MVR were categorized into 2 groups: TAP (n = 151) or no TAP (n = 142). The median age was 51 years (quartile (Q)1-Q3, 43-59 years). The cause of valve pathology was rheumatic in 92.5% of patients (n = 271). The prevalence of preoperative atrial fibrillation was in 73.0%. Using propensity score matching based on demographic information, 91 TAP patients could be matched to 91 no TAP patients. Median follow-up duration was 107 months (Q1-Q3, 76-162 months)., Results: There was no early mortality in either group. Early morbidities, including heart block were not different between groups. Although overall survival and freedom from cardiac-related mortality did not differ between groups (P = .519 and P = .115, respectively), freedom from recurrence of moderate or higher TR grade were significantly higher in the TAP group (P = .043). In subgroup analyses, these group differences of TAP were especially prominent in patients with sinus rhythm compared with patients with atrial fibrillation at discharge (P = .047 vs P = .460)., Conclusions: Prophylactic TAP for patients with less-than-moderate TR grade who underwent mechanical MVR can prevent late TR progression without increasing early surgical risks. Longer-term follow-up is required to determine the clinical beneficial effect of prophylactic TAP., (Copyright © 2016 The American Association for Thoracic Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: We describe a repertoire of repair techniques according to type of Ebstein's anomaly to correct tricuspid valve (TV) incompetence, and report long-term ventricular function and functional outcomes., Methods: Sixty-eight patients (mean age, 26.9 ± 7.3 years) with Ebstein's anomaly (type A, n = 21; type B, n = 23; type C, n = 15; type D, n = 9) underwent correction of TV incompetence under normothermic cardiopulmonary bypass. The atrialized ventricle, TV, and subvalvar apparatus were inspected to analyze the precise morphology and determine which leaflet was the most mobile. Various repair strategies (anterior and/or posterior annulorrhapy, Sebening stitich, double-orifice valve technique, with bidirectional Glenn anastomosis if necessary) were used according to the presenting morphology and applied according to the type of Ebstein's anomaly. In all, the atrialized right ventricle (RV) was incorporated into the contractile RV by partial closure of the natural annulus using the most mobile leaflet for valve competence., Results: The mean duration of follow-up was 13.25 ± 1.3 years (median, 9.34 years; range, 1-24 years). The mean New York Heart Association class improved from 3.4 to 1.3 (P < .001). The mean severity of TV incompetence was reduced from 3.2 to 1.3 (P < .001). Exercise tolerance tests demonstrated improved maximal oxygen uptake from a mean of 15 ± 7.8 ng/kg/min preoperatively to a mean of 24.9 ± 2.0 ng/kg/min postoperatively (P < .02). Displacement tissue Doppler imaging was used to evaluate overall cardiac performance of the RV and left ventricle and interventricular septum. The mean basal, middle, and apical ventricular strain improved significantly from preoperative values of 18.08%, 15.6%, and 13.9%, respectively to postoperative values of 25.7% (P < .011), 23.7% (P < .001), and 19.36% (P < .05), respectively. Freedom from reoperation was 100% at 1 year, 98.3% at 5 years, and 92.9% at 20 years. Early mortality was 2.9%, and late mortality was 5.8%. The overall survival rate was 97.6% at 30 days, 92.7% at 5 years, and 91.26% at 20 years., Conclusions: The various repair techniques, all of which preserve the atrialized chamber and are used individually according to morphology, provide satisfactory long-term ventricular function and functional outcome even in severe types of Ebstein's anomaly., (Copyright © 2015 The American Association for Thoracic Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Cone reconstruction is advocated to treat severe tricuspid valve (TV) regurgitation associated with Ebstein's anomaly. Data on postoperative clinical status, ventricular adaptation, and objective cardiopulmonary testing are lacking in these patients., Methods: The clinical characteristics, echocardiography, magnetic resonance imaging, and exercise data from 27 consecutive cone reconstructions, undertaken from 2009 to 2013, were retrospectively compared between preoperative baseline and follow-up., Results: There were no deaths. The cone TV functioned well in all but 1 patient with late dehiscence of inferior annuloplasty sutures that were subsequently repaired. Four patients required pacemaker insertion (3 for new complete heart block). At median follow-up of 2.7 ± 1.5 years, tricuspid regurgitation was reduced in all patients, without causing stenosis. Global left ventricle function remained unchanged (pre-operative fraction 60% ± 4% vs postoperative fraction 61% ± 3%; P = .96). MRI showed enhanced forward pulmonary flow (pre 26 ± 1 mL/beat vs post 36 ± 10 mL/beat; P < .005) and increased left ventricle filling (body surface area-indexed left ventricle end-diastolic volume pre 49 ± 14 mL/m(2) vs post 60 ± 14 mL/m(2); P < .005). New York Heart Association functional class improved (pre 2.5 ± 0.6 vs post 1.3 ± 0.6; P < .0001) and there was significant improvement in peak oxygen uptake (pre 54% ± 18% vs post 66% ± 22%; P = .02)., Conclusions: Cone reconstruction of TV offers an effective repair in patients with severe regurgitation associated with Ebstein's anomaly. The patients' clinical status improved with better left ventricle filling and objective exercise capacity. The durability of repair, and mechanisms by which the ventricles adapt to the new loading conditions, need longer-term study., (Copyright © 2015 The American Association for Thoracic Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Root remodeling was proposed as valve-preserving root replacement to treat patients with aortic regurgitation and root aneurysm. The objective of this retrospective study was to review 18 years of experience with root remodeling and to identify predictors of valve durability., Methods: Between October 1995 and December 2013, root remodeling was performed in 747 patients. The aortic valve anatomy was tricuspid in 431 patients, bicuspid in 290 patients, and unicuspid in 26 patients. Aortic aneurysm was present in 688 patients, and 59 procedures were performed for acute aortic dissection type A. The severity of aortic regurgitation ranged from grade 0 to IV (grade 0, 1%; grade 1, 8%; grade 2, 26%; grade 3, 62%; grade 4, 3%; median, 3). All patients underwent root remodeling, concomitant operations were performed in 352 patients, and cusp repair was used in 690 procedures., Results: Hospital mortality was 2%. Overall freedom from reoperation was 92% at 10 years and 91% at 15 years. Overall freedom from reoperation was 95% for tricuspid valves at 10 and 15 years, 89% for bicuspid aortic valves at 10 years (P = .006), and 83% for bicuspid aortic valves at 15 years. By multivariate analysis, the strongest risk factors for failure were an aortoventricular junction 28 mm or greater (hazard ratio, 1.43) and the use of a pericardial patch as part of cusp repair (hazard ratio, 6.24)., Conclusions: Root remodeling continues to be a viable option in valve-preserving root replacement. If combined with careful assessment and, if necessary, correction of aortic valve geometry, reproducible restoration of aortic valve function can be achieved with good long term durability., (Copyright © 2015 The American Association for Thoracic Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To examine the late outcomes of aortic valve-sparing operations to treat patients with aortic root aneurysm with and without aortic insufficiency (AI) in a cohort of patients followed up prospectively since 1988., Methods: A total of 371 consecutive patients had undergone aortic valve-sparing surgery (mean age, 47 ± 15 years; 78% men) from 1988 through 2010. In addition to the aortic root aneurysm, 47% had moderate or severe AI, 35.5% had Marfan syndrome, 12.1% had type A aortic dissection, 9.2% had bicuspid aortic valve, 8.4% had mitral insufficiency, 16.1% had aortic arch aneurysm, and 10.2% had coronary artery disease. Reimplantation of the aortic valve was used in 296 patients and remodeling of the aortic root in 75. Cusp repair by plication of the free margin along the nodule of Arantius was used in 36.6% of patients, and reinforcement of the free margin with a double layer of fine Gore-Tex suture in 24.2%. The patients were followed up prospectively with images of the aortic root for a median follow-up of 8.9 ± 5.2 years., Results: A total of 4 operative and 39 late deaths occurred. Survival at 18 years was 76.8% ± 4.31%, lower than that for the general population matched for age and gender. Age, type A aortic dissection, impaired ventricular function, and preoperative AI were associated with increased mortality on multivariable analysis. Reoperations on the aortic valve were performed in 8 patients for recurrent AI and in 2 for infective endocarditis. Freedom from reoperation on the aortic valve at 18 years was 94.8% ± 2.0%. No predictors of the need for reoperation were found on multivariable analysis. Eighteen patients developed AI greater than mild. Freedom from AI greater than mild at 18 years was 78.0% ± 4.8%. No predictors of recurrent AI were identified on multivariable analysis., Conclusions: Aortic valve-sparing operations continue to provide excellent clinical outcomes, although a slow but progressive deterioration of aortic valve function seems to occur during the first 2 decades of follow-up. Preoperative AI and cusp repair had no adverse effect on valve function., (Copyright © 2014 The American Association for Thoracic Surgery. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: To define the durability of aortic valve repair (AVRep) and the effect of surgical timing on late survival., Methods: From June 1986 to June 2011, 331 patients underwent elective AVRep for aortic regurgitation (mean age, 53 ± 17 years; 76% men). The repair methods included commissuroplasty (n = 270; 81%), triangular resection and plication (n = 106; 32%), resuspension or cusp shortening (n = 102; 31%), and perforation closure (n = 23; 7%)., Results: In-hospital mortality was 0.6% (2 of 332). Four patients (1%) experienced early repair failure; two underwent repeat repair. Overall survival was 91% and 81% at 5 and 10 years, respectively. After adjusting for age, greater left ventricular end-systolic dimension (per 5 mm; hazard ratio [HR], 1.49; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.23-1.79; P < .001) and lower ejection fraction (per 5%; HR, 1.42; 95% CI, 1.25-1.63; P ≤ .001) were significant predictors of long-term mortality. Patients with ejection fraction < 50% and left ventricular end-systolic dimension > 50 mm had significantly greater odds of late death (HR, 3.46; 95% CI, 2.05-5.82; P < .001 and HR, 2.08; 95% CI, 1.05-4.12; P = .036, respectively). The risk of aortic valve reoperation was 10% and 21% at 5 and 10 years, respectively. The presence of severe aortic regurgitation (HR, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.1-5.06; P = .02) and more than mild regurgitation at discharge (HR, 5.87; 95% CI, 2.67-12.68; P ≤ .0001) were predictors of late reoperation. Freedom from other valve-related events was 94% and 91% at 5 and 10 years, respectively. Forty-seven patients (21%) with intact valve repair were using warfarin at the last follow-up visit., Conclusions: AVRep can be performed with excellent late survival and freedom from valve-related events. Awaiting the onset of ventricular dysfunction increases the risk of late mortality, warranting earlier consideration of AVRep for patients with suitable anatomy., (Copyright © 2014 The American Association for Thoracic Surgery. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Patients referred for implantable continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices (cfLVAD) frequently have preoperative right heart failure and tricuspid regurgitation (TR). The objective of this report is to examine early clinical benefits of concomitant tricuspid surgery for these patients., Methods: Sixty-one of 200 consecutive cfLVAD patients at our institution displayed preimplant right heart dysfunction and significant TR. Thirty-three underwent cfLVAD plus a tricuspid valve procedure (TVP), and 28 had cfLVAD alone. Preimplant characteristics and clinical outcomes were retrospectively studied. As previously described, post-LVAD right ventricular failure was defined as need for right ventricular assist device (RVAD) support or greater than 14 days of intravenous inotropic support., Results: Preimplant characteristics were similar between the 2 groups. Cardiopulmonary bypass time was increased for the group that received concomitant TVPs. The most common TVP consisted of an undersizing ring annuloplasty. The cfLVAD-alone group had greater TR after implant relative to the cfLVAD+TVP group. The cfLVAD-alone group experienced greater postprocedure right ventricular failure relative to cfLVAD+TVP (46.4% vs 18.2%; P < .05). Furthermore, prolonged hospitalization was increased for the cfLVAD-alone group versus the cfLVAD+TVP. Survival was similar between the 2 groups., Conclusions: Concomitant TVP appears to reduce postprocedure right ventricular failure for patients with significant TR undergoing cfLVAD implantation., (Copyright © 2012 The American Association for Thoracic Surgery. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: We hypothesize that concomitant tricuspid annuloplasty in patients with tricuspid annular dilatation who undergo mitral valve repair could prevent progression of tricuspid regurgitation and right ventricular remodeling., Methods: In 2002, 80 patients underwent mitral valve repair. Concomitant tricuspid annuloplasty was performed in 13 patients with grade 3 or 4 tricuspid regurgitation. In 2004, 102 patients underwent mitral valve repair. Concomitant tricuspid annuloplasty was performed in 21 patients with grade 3 or 4 tricuspid regurgitation and in 43 patients with an echocardiographically determined tricuspid annular diameter of 40 mm or greater. Patients underwent transthoracic echocardiographic analysis preoperatively and at the 2-year follow-up., Results: In the 2002 cohort right ventricular dimensions did not decrease (right ventricular long axis, 69 ± 7 vs 70 ± 8 mm; right ventricular short axis, 29 ± 7 vs 30 ± 7 mm); tricuspid regurgitation grade and gradient remained unchanged. In the 2004 cohort right ventricular reverse remodeling was observed (right ventricular long axis, 71 ± 6 vs 69 ± 9 mm; right ventricular short axis, 29 ± 5 vs 27 ± 5 mm; P < .0001); tricuspid regurgitation diminished (1.6 ± 1.0 vs 0.9 ± 0.6, P < .0001), and transtricuspid gradient decreased (28 ± 13 vs 23 ± 15 mm Hg, P = .021). Subanalysis of the 2002 cohort showed that in 23 patients without grade 3 or 4 tricuspid regurgitation but baseline tricuspid annular dilatation, the degree of tricuspid regurgitation was worse at the 2-year follow-up. Moreover, this caused right ventricular dilatation. Subanalysis of the 2004 cohort demonstrated reverse right ventricular remodeling and decreased tricuspid regurgitation in 43 patients with preoperative tricuspid annular dilatation who underwent tricuspid annuloplasty., Conclusions: Concomitant tricuspid annuloplasty during mitral valve repair should be considered in patients with tricuspid annular dilatation despite the absence of important tricuspid regurgitation at baseline because this improves echocardiographic outcome., (Copyright © 2011 The American Association for Thoracic Surgery. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.)