Tricuspid Annuloplasty Using the MC3 Ring for Functional Tricuspid Regurgitation

Background: A recently introduced tricuspid annuloplasty ring, the MC3 ring, has a 3-dimensional form that is designed to remodel the tricuspid valve annulus. The aim of this study was to investigate its clinical performance. Methods and Results: From December 2004 to April 2008, 103 patients underwent tricuspid annuloplasty using the MC3 ring (mean age, 52 +/- 13 years; 63.6% women). The average preoperative tricuspid regurgitation (TR) grade was 2.5 +/- 0.8, and the mean preoperative systolic pulmonary artery pressure was 48.4 +/- 15.0 (24-88) mmHg; the mean follow-up was 26.7 +/- 11.2 (0-52) months. One patient died after surgery (1.0%), because of cor pulmonale. No MC3 ring-related complications, such as, atrioventricular block, ring dehiscence or thromboembolism, were encountered. Predischarge echocardiography showed a significant decrease in the TR grade (2.5 0.8 to 0.8 0.8, respectively; P<0.001). After a median 15 months, the mean TR grade was stable (0.9 +/- 0.8). The mean systolic pulmonary artery pressure was also lower than its preoperative value (33.9 +/- 7.9 vs 48.4 +/- 15.OmmHg, respectively; P<0.001). Conclusions: The MC3 ring provides good mid-term clinical and echocardiographic results for TR. However, long-term follow-up is mandatory to confirm the stability of this procedure. (Circ J 2010; 74: 278-283)