Tricuspid valve replacement on a beating heart via a right minithoracotomy.

Right minithoracotomy provides an excellent exposure to the right atrium and the tricuspid valve. It is feasible and safe to perform a tricuspid valve replacement on a beating heart without cross-clamping the aorta via right minithoracotomy. The use of beating heart minimally invasive approach can decrease the morbidity and mortality of the procedure and still provide great exposure to the valve allowing either repair or replacement. The technical aspects of the procedure are described in a patient with carcinoid tricuspid valve disease.