There is little data available for Algeria on the outcomes of surgical treatment for severe tricuspid regurgitation. The aim of this study was to analyze clinical and echocardiographic outcomes in a series of patients who received surgical treatment for severe tricuspid regurgitation and to compare outcomes according to the operative approach to valve repair or replacement.

Retrospective study in 239 consecutive patients with severe tricuspid regurgitation undergoing valve surgery between April 2006 and February 2014 in military hospitals of Algeria and Constantine.

A total of 112 ringless and 85 ring annuloplasties were performed and 9 bioprostheses and 33 mechanical prostheses were implanted. Perioperative mortality was 18.5% and was associated with age and cardiopulmonary bypass time. During clinical follow-up (median, 41 [interquartile range, 24–89] months), 2 reoperations were required in the ring annuloplasty and mechanical prosthesis groups; prosthetic thrombosis was diagnosed in 4 patients in the latter group. Total mortality after follow-up was 29.9% and was associated with age >70 years and extracorporeal circulation time. The emergence of new severe tricuspid regurgitation was associated with age and ringless annuloplasty (P=0.04).

Ringless repair was significantly associated with recurrence of severe tricuspid regurgitation. The use of mechanical prostheses was associated with a high rate of thrombosis. No significant differences in perioperative or total mortality were found between the different methods used for repair or valve replacement.