Postoperative results of patients undergoing minimally-invasive (MIC) tricuspid valve procedure

Background: Video-assisted minimally invasive (MIC) tricuspid valve repair or replacement through right minithoracotomy offers a less invasive option for the treatment of tricuspid valve insufficiency compared to conventional sternotomy approach. Methods: We present our postoperative results regarding the two different surgical approaches. Results: From 2017 to 2021 180 patients underwent isolated or combined tricuspid valve procedures in our heartcenter, either through median sternotomy (n=152, group 1) or via MIC approach (n=28, group 2). Mean age was 68 ± 11 years in group 1 and 69 ± 11 years in group 2. A propensity matching analysis was performed comparing 21 patients from each group. The majority of the patients in both groups received tricuspid valve repair (90% in unmatched group 1 and 79% in unmatched group 2). Tricuspid valve replacement was performed in 10% of group 1 versus 21% of group 2. The 30-day mortality was higher in matched group 1 patients (14%) in comparison to matched group 2 patients (5%; OR=3.00; [0.31, 28.84]; p=0.341). Mean required packed red blood cells (pRBC) was 9.43 ± 11.79 units in group 1, respectively 3.57 ± 4.75 units in group 2 (OR=1.12; [0.98, 1.29]; p=0.099). Postoperative echocardiography revealed excellent tricuspid valve function in both matched groups. Conclusion: Video-assisted minimally invasive (MIC) tricuspid valve repair or replacement through right mini-thoracotomy is a good alternative to sternotomy approach. Our postoperative results demonstrate that MIC approach is safe and feasible.

Publikationsverlauf

Eingereicht: 29. Mai 2025

Angenommen nach Revision: 17. November 2025

Accepted Manuscript online:
19. November 2025