Transatrial Transcatheter Tricuspid Valve-in-Valve Implantation of Balloon Expandable Bioprosthesis

Transcatheter valve-in-valve implantation into failing mitral and aortic bioprosthetic valves have been reported. This strategy avoids performing high-risk repeat cardiac surgery in elderly patients with multiple comorbidities. Tricuspid valve-in-valve implantation has not been described. We report a case of failing bioprosthetic tricuspid valve in a 48-year-old woman with carcinoid syndrome. We attempted a transatrial transcatheter approach and we successfully deployed a 26-mm Edwards Sapien balloon expandable bioprosthesis (Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, CA) into a severely stenotic tricuspid bioprosthesis. This case demonstrates the technical feasibility and safety of this approach. Therefore, tricuspid valve-in-valve implantation may be a viable treatment alternative in carefully selected patients. (Ann Thorac Surg 2010;90:1696-7) (C) 2010 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons