[Tricuspid valve replacement for elderly patients with isolated tricuspid valve regurgitation; report of 2 cases].

Isolated tricuspid valve regurgitation (TR) is a rare clinical entity. We report 2 patients, 80 and 74-year-old with isolated TR. They underwent valve replacement with the Carpentier-Edwards bioprosthesis because of resistance to medical treatment. The causes of insufficiency were suspected as congenital in case 1 and infective endocarditis in case 2, respectively. Postoperative course was free from major complications in both patients. Valvuloplasty and/or annuloplasty are recommended for TR, however, replacement of the tricuspid valve is sometimes necessary in isolated TR patients. The higher occurrence of thrombosis of mechanical prosthesis in the tricuspid position has been reported. The bioprosthesis in tricuspid position may reduce the rate of thromboembolism, thrombosis and structural dysfunction, therefore it may be an option for radical therapy in isolated TR especially in aged patients.