Publication at First Faculty of Medicine |
2006
Abstract
Relative incompetence is the most common acquired disorder of the tricuspid valve. It develops as a late result of the left-heart valve disease ? mitral stenosis/regurgitation, aortic stenosis.
Surgical treatment of relative tricuspid incompetence is based on remodeling of the dilated tricuspid annulus or, rarely, a valve replacement. Surgery is clearly indicated in severe tricuspid regurgitation.
In mild or moderate regurgitation the indication remains disputable due to uneasy prediction of the course of pulmonary hypertension and right ventricular dysfunction following correction of left-heart valve disease. Recent cardiosurgical opinion, however, favors early valve repair and preferential use of annuloplasty rings.