Long-term outcomes of pericardial strip versus prosthetic ring annuloplasty for secondary tricuspid regurgitation by a minimally invasive approach.

Background: This study was conducted to compare the outcomes of prosthetic ring versus autologous pericardial strip for the treatment of functional tricuspid regurgitation during left-sided valve surgery by minimally invasive approach.

Methods: From January 2008 and July 2016, autologous pericardial strip (group P-TAP) was used in 109 patients, and prosthetic ring (group R-TAP) in 115 patients. The primary outcomes were long-term overall survival, development of patch degeneration, and significant tricuspid regurgitation recurrence.

Hemodynamic effects of levosimendan in patients with low-output heart failure after cardiac surgery.

Following cardiac surgery, low-output syndrome is relatively common. Since this condition can lead to serious consequences, this postsurgical, low-output state should be reversed whenever possible. Patients with low-output syndrome need drug and fluid management aimed at enhancing cardiac contractility and at facilitating optimal myocardial loading.