Population and study design
This is a retrospective outcome evaluation from institutional records
with prospective data entry and from a dedicated prospective
institutional database regarding right mini-thoracotomy cardiac
procedures. All patients sign an informed consent form to allow clinical
and administrative data storage and utilization for scientific purposes
according to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Because of
the retrospective nature of this study, the local Ethic Committee waived
the need for patient consent. We searched for all the patients who
underwent right mini-thoracotomy tricuspid valve surgery isolated or
combined with mitral valve surgery during the period June 2013 –
February 2020. Primary outcomes of the study were postoperative
mortality (30 days) and occurrence of postoperative complications.
Secondary outcomes were survival and freedom from reoperation. The
follow-up (median time 35 months) was 100% complete and accomplished by
direct contact of patients or their next-of-kin, and included evaluation
of the most recent echocardiogram, functional class and eventual
hospital admissions.