Leaflet Augmentation with an Autologous Pericardial Patch for Severe Functional Tricuspid Regurgitation

An 85-year-old man, who had developed right-sided heart failure associated with isolated severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR), was referred to our institution to undergo cardiac surgery. Preoperative echocardiography revealed tricuspid annular dilatation and leaflet tethering, resulting in severe TR. The anterior leaflet was detached from the annulus with 1.5 mm margin for suture incorporation, and an autologous pericardial patch was sutured with 3 5-0 running interlocked sutures to augment the leaflet. Annuloplasty was then performed with an undersized ring. Postoperative echocardiography showed trivial TR with good coaptation of the tricuspid leaflets. This technique may be a therapeutic option for the surgical treatment of severe functional TR due to lack of leaflet coaptation.