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.