Initial Clinical Experience with a Novel Biodegradable Ring in Patients with Functional Tricuspid Insufficiency: Kalangos Biodegradable Tricuspid Ring®

Abstract

Background: Tricuspid annuloplasty procedures have been widely performed in clinics for many years. The Kalangos Biodegradable Tricuspid Ring (Kalangos Biodegradable Tricuspid Ring®, Bioring SA, Lonay, Switzerland) is a novel prosthesis for the treatment of tricuspid insufficiency. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and echocardiographic results of this novel prosthesis for functional tricuspid insufficiency. Methods: Between October 2005 and May 2006, 15 patients with the diagnosis of moderate or severe functional tricuspid insufficiency were treated by implantation of a Kalangos Biodegradable Tricuspid Ring®. All patients were evaluated clinically and by echocardiography preoperatively, and control tests were performed at the end of the 1st and 6th month following surgery. Results: Moderate and severe insufficiency was documented in 11 and 4 patients, respectively, in the preoperative tests. 1 and 6 months after surgery, 4 patients had trace and 1 patient had mild tricuspid insufficiency, while 10 patients had none. At the 1st and 6th month follow-up, systolic pulmonary arterial pressure, right atrial dimension and right ventricular diastolic diameter were found to be significantly lower than the preoperative values (p < 0.0001). The right atrial diameter and tricuspid valve area had decreased significantly at the end of the 1st month; however, no significant difference was found between the 1st and 6th month tests (p > 0.05). Three-quarters of the annuloplasty ring had degraded at 6 months. No complications related to the prosthesis or the procedure occurred within this period. Conclusions: Kalangos Biodegradable Ring is a promising prosthesis in patients with functional tricuspid insufficiency, with encouraging initial results.

Key words

cardiovascular surgery - heart valve surgery - heart disease

References

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