Introduction: The management of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is still challenging in certain circumstances, especially for patients with anatomical variations. This challenge is even harder for reoperations, which are associated with increased morbidity and mortality risk.
Case report: We describe a minimally invasive, beating-heart redo tricuspid valve replacement in a 71-years old woman with persistent left superior vena cava.
Discussion: Preoperative planning via CT-scan, teamwork and custom-made management of CPB are crucial for reoperations with anatomical variations. The perfusionist has a pivotal role in constructing and managing the CPB.
Conclusion: We describe a strategy achieving the benefits of minimally invasive endoscopic and beating-heart surgery (avoidance of resternotomy risk and associated morbidity, right ventricular protection) in reoperative tricuspid surgery with persistent upper left vena cava.
Keywords: minimally invasive surgery; persistent left superior vena cava; tricuspid valve replacement.