Abstract
BackgroundDiastolic dysfunction of the left ventricle is common but frequently under-diagnosed. Particularly in advanced stages affected patients may present with significant functional tricuspid regurgitation (TR) as the most prominent sign on echocardiography. The underlying left ventricular pathology may eventually be missed and symptoms of heart failure are attributed to TR, with respective therapeutic consequences.The aim of the present study was to determine prevalence and mechanisms underlying TR evolution in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF).Methods and resultsConsecutive HFpEF patients were enrolled in this prospective, observational study. Confirmatory diagnostic tests including echocardiography and invasive hemodynamic assessments were performed.Of the 175 patients registered between 2010 and 2014, 51% had significant (moderate or severe) TR without structural abnormalities of the tricuspid valve. Significant hemodynamic differences between patients with and without relevant TR were encountered. These included elevated pulmonary vascular resistance (p = 0.038), reduced pulmonary arterial compliance (PAC, p = 0.005), and elevated left ventricular filling pressures (p = 0.039) in the TR group. Multivariable binary logistic regression analysis revealed diastolic pulmonary artery pressure (p = 0.029) and PAC (p = 0.048) as independent determinants of TR.Patients were followed for 18.1±14.1 months, during which 32% had a cardiac event. While TR was associated with outcome in the univariable analysis, it failed to predict event-free survival in the multivariable model.ConclusionsThe presence of ´isolated´ functional TR should prompt the suspicion of HFpEF. Our data show that significant TR is a marker of advanced HFpEF but neither an isolated entity nor independently associated with event-free survival.
Highlights
Diastolic dysfunction of the left ventricle that may convert into the clinical picture of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a growing health care problem [1, 2]
The presence ofisolatedfunctional tricuspid regurgitation (TR) should prompt the suspicion of HFpEF
Our data show that significant TR is a marker of advanced HFpEF but neither an isolated entity nor independently associated with event-free survival
Summary
Diastolic dysfunction of the left ventricle that may convert into the clinical picture of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a growing health care problem [1, 2]. We have observed that in advanced disease stages affected patients frequently present with significant functional tricuspid regurgitation (TR) as the most prominent sign on echocardiographic examination. The underlying left ventricular pathology may eventually be missed and symptoms of heart failure are attributed to TR. Current guidelines on the management of valvular heart disease lack any recommendation for the treatment ofisolatedfunctional TR [3, 4] affected patients may be referred to surgical repair [5]. In the present work we hypothesized that hemodynamic alterations characteristic of HFpEF [6,7,8] cause functional TR.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call