De Vega tricuspid annuloplasty for systemic tricuspid regurgitation in children with univentricular physiology.
OBJECTIVE
Significant tricuspid valve regurgitation (TR) is problematic in children with univentricular physiology and a systemic tricuspid valve occasionally requiring tricuspid (systemic atrioventricular) valve replacement. Since 1998, the De Vega tricuspid annuloplasty technique has been applied for TR in these children.


METHODS
Twelve children (median age 2.2 years; range: 6 months to 17 years) with moderate or severe systemic TR underwent a De Vega tricuspid annuloplasty during a bidirectional Glenn anastomosis (n = 3), Fontan procedure (n = 8) or aortic valve replacement late after a Fontan procedure (n = 1). Nine patients (75%) had prior Norwood palliation for hypoplastic left heart syndrome. Four patients had simultaneous repair of an abnormal tricuspid valve in addition to the De Vega procedure.


RESULTS
There were no deaths during a mean follow up of 2.0 +/- 1.4 years (range: 6 months to 5.1 years). One child required pacemaker implantation early after operation, and one child with a Glenn anastomosis underwent cardiac transplantation 21 months postoperatively. In the remaining 11 patients, the most recent echocardiogram showed mild or no TR in eight children, mild-to-moderate TR in one child, and moderate TR in two children. No child had symptomatic TR (including the two with moderate TR), significant tricuspid stenosis, or late pacemaker implantation.


CONCLUSIONS
The De Vega tricuspid annuloplasty safely provides excellent relief of systemic TR in children with univentricular physiology, with a majority of patients (73%) having mild or less residual TR at follow up examination. This simple technique is preferred to tricuspid (systemic) valve replacement in these children.
Kanter
Kirk R
KR
Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA. kkanter@emory.edu
Forbess
Joseph M
JM
Fyfe
Derek A
DA
Mahle
William T
WT
Kirshbom
Paul M
PM
D000293:Adolescent; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D014262:Tricuspid Valve Insufficiency / Q000601:surgery*