Semi-automated quantification of tricuspid valve dynamics and structure in tetralogy of Fallot and hypoplastic left heart syndrome using three-dimensional echocardiography

Abstract

Anomalies of the tricuspid valve (TV) are associated with worsened prognosis in congenital heart disease (CHD). Here, we present a descriptive study examining changes in TV morphology in two CHD conditions—repaired tetralogy of Fallot (rTOF) and hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLSH), using three-dimensional echocardiography. Full volume acquisitions of the TV and right ventricle (RV) were performed from an RV-focused apical view using ECG gating over 2–5 consecutive cardiac cycles using 3D echocardiography, from which TV annulus and leaflet parameters were quantified. A total of 40 rTOF patients (age 14 ± 9.8 years), 40 HLHS patients (age1.0 ± 1.5 years) and 80 age and gender matched controls were included. Among leaflet parameters, antero-posterior and posterior-septal TV coaptation heights were smaller in rTOF (p < 0.001) vs. control. Conversely, only the short-axis TV height was different in HLHS vs. controls (HLHS 1.6 ± 0.4 cm vs. control 1.4 ± 0.3 cm). TV leaflet parameters tended to be larger in HLHS, while leaflet coaptation distances were similar between groups. We demonstrate that 3D echocardiography for assessment of the TV is feasible in rTOF and HLHS patients and identifies unique differences in TV morphology. Future studies should clarify the clinical significance of TV morphology in these patient populations.