LONG-TERM RESULTS OF DEVEGA TRICUSPID ANNULOPLASTY

DeVega tricuspid annuloplasty was performed in 74 patients undergoing mitral or mitral and aortic valve replacement between January, 1972, and December, 1985. Sixty-two hospital survivors have been followed up for a mean of 85.3 .+-. 6.6 months. Actuarial survival at 14 years was 71.5 .+-. 8.2%. None of the late deaths was related to the tricuspid annuloplasty. Three patients required tricuspid valve replacement for recurrence of tricuspid regurgitation (0.68% per annum). Eleven asymptomatic patients studied hemodynamically at a mean period of 53 months after the operation showed maintenance of the hemodynamic improvement. We recommend DeVega annuloplasty as the method of choice for moderate to severe tricuspid regurgitation in the absence of an organically diseased or deformed valve.