TRICUSPID-VALVE DYSFUNCTION IN THE TRANSPLANTED HEART

Mild degrees of tricuspid regurgitation are common in the orthotopical ly transplanted heart, probably secondary to the geometry of the right atrial anastomosis. At the University of Utah, 5 (0.95%) of 526 patie nts with transplantations performed from March 1985 to December 1993 h ave presented with severe tricuspid regurgitation requiring operative intervention. Echocardiographic findings confirmed at the time of oper ation consisted of ruptured chordae to the tricuspid valve. Standard t ricuspid valve repair and replacement techniques were used with good r esults. We postulate the chordal disruption found in these patients is secondary to injuries incurred at the time of endomyocardial biopsy.