Surgical management of functional tricuspid regurgitation

Abstract

Functional tricuspid regurgitation remains a dilemma in patients presenting with left sided valvular disease. The decision for intervening is not clear cut in patients with mild/moderate regurgitation and in patients with severe regurgitation, placement of an annuloplasty ring may not be sufficient for a durable result due to leaflet tethering. There is no doubt that there is a trend for earlier intervention in patients with a dilated tricuspid annulus but minimal regurgitation but longer term follow up is required to assess the impact of this on long term outcomes.