Tangled wire in a Dacron band during Cardioband transcatheter tricuspid annuloplasty—How to solve the problem

Transcatheter tricuspid valve intervention (TTVI) is an emerging treatment for patients with symptomatic severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR). Currently, the issues that arise during TTVI are unclear. Here, a 78-year-old woman with severe TR underwent transcatheter tricuspid valve annuloplasty using a Cardioband (Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, CA). We attempted to cinch the Dacron band after anchoring; however, it was impossible to connect the distal tip of the size adjustment tool and the Dacron band because the cinching wire was tangled around the Dacron band. We resolved this issue without surgical intervention, and eventually cinched the annulus. Final echocardiography revealed dramatic TR reduction. To our knowledge, no study has reported a tangled wire in a Dacron band during Cardioband use. Clinicians should be aware of the risks accompanying this concern in case where it is impossible to connect the distal tip of the size adjustment tool and the Dacron band during cinching.