Minimal access tricuspid valve surgery.

The minimally invasive, right mini-thoracotomy technique described can be applied to patients that require a concomitant tricuspid valve repair or replacement at the time of a mitral valve procedure. This has been the most common scenario where tricuspid valve surgery is performed. This approach is applicable to patients requiring isolated tricuspid valve surgery. In addition, patients who have had prior cardiac surgery presenting with tricuspid valve disease are candidates for a lesser invasive approach. All patients with primary or late secondary tricuspid regurgitation (TR) are considered candidates unless arterial cannulation is not possible.