Repair Of Tricuspid Regurgitation Research Articles

Residual tricuspid regurgitation after transcatheter tricuspid valve edge-to-edge repair: the EuroTR Registry

Abstract Background Data on the prognostic impact of residual tricuspid regurgitation (TR) after transcatheter tricuspid valve edge-to-edge repair (T-TEER) are scarce. Purpose The aim of this analysis was to evaluate two-year survival and symptomatic outcomes of patients in relation to residual TR after T-TEER. Methods Using the large European Registry of Transcatheter Repair for Tricuspid Regurgitation (EuroTR Registry) we investigated the impact of residual TR on two-year all-cause mortality and New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class at follow-up. The study further identified predictors for residual TR ≥3+ using a logistic regression model. Results The study included a total of 1286 T-TEER patients (53.6% females, mean age 78.0 ± 8.9 years). TR was successfully reduced to ≤1+ in 42.4%, 2+ in 40.0% and 3+ in 14.9% of patients at discharge, while 2.8% remained with TR ≥4+ after the procedure. Residual TR ≥3+ was an independent multivariable predictor of two-year all-cause mortality (hazard ratio 2.06, confidence interval 1.30-3.26, p=0.002, Figure 1). The prevalence of residual TR ≥3+ was 4-times higher in patients with higher baseline TR (vena contracta > 11.1 mm) and more severe TV tenting (tenting area >1.92 cm2) (Figure 2). Of note, no survival difference was observed in patients with residual TR ≤1+ vs. 2+ (76.2% vs. 73.1%, p=0.461). The rate of NYHA functional class ≥ III at follow-up was significantly higher in patients with residual TR ≥3+ (52.4% vs. 40.5%, p<0.001). Of note, the degree of TR reduction significantly correlated with the extend of symptomatic improvement (p=0.012). Conclusions T-TEER effectively reduced TR severity in the majority of patients. While residual TR ≥3+ was associated with worse outcomes, no differences were observed for residual TR 1+ vs. 2+. Symptomatic improvement correlated with the degree of TR reduction.Figure 1- Residual TR after T-TEERFigure 2 - Predicting residual TR

HFpEF is associated with a higher risk of hospitalization or death in men undergoing transcatheter edge-to-edge tricuspid valve repair

Abstract Aims There are fundamental differences between women and men regarding the pathophysiology and etiology of tricuspid regurgitation (TR) as well as underlying comorbidities. The aim of this study was to analyze differences between female and male patients undergoing transcatheter edge-to-edge tricuspid valve repair for TR (T-TEER) and to identify gender-specific predictors of adverse outcome. Methods and Results In this monocentric study 197 consecutive patients (96 women and 101 men) undergoing T-TEER at our university heart center were included. Prevalence of heart failure with preserved ejection (HFpEF) was higher in women than in men (63% vs. 37.3%; p=0.001) whereas men more often had heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF; 62.7% vs. 37%; p=0.001). Women had more severe symptoms (86.2% in New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III-IV vs. 72.3% in men; p=0.022). Device success rates (p=0.64), procedural characteristics (e.g. number of clips, p=0.17) and postprocedural results (TR grade post clip, p=0.1) were comparable. One-year mortality did not differ between genders (5.9% in women, 8.6% in men; p=0.53). Likewise, no significant difference could be found with regard to heart failure hospitalizations within one year after T-TEER (20.3% in women, 18.8% in men, p=0.82). Strikingly, prevalence of HFpEF was substantially higher than of HFrEF in men that reached the combined endpoint of one-year mortality or rehospitalization for heart failure (61.5% vs. 38.5%; p = 0.08). In women, no relevant difference could be found (27.0% vs. 32.4%; p=0,623). To identify gender-specific predictors of the combined endpoint, a cox regression analysis was performed. In men, HFpEF emerged as an independent predictor (HR 2.703; 95% CI 1.069 – 6.837; p = 0.036). In women, NYHA functional class proved to be an independent risk factor (Hazard Ratio (HR) 3.362; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.085 – 10.415; p=0.036) for the combined endpoint whereas HFpEF was not associated with adverse outcome (HR 0.865, 95% CI 0.259 – 2.885, p=0.81). Conclusions Women undergoing T-TEER were more symptomatic and had higher prevalence of HFpEF compared to men. Nevertheless, HFpEF emerged as an independent predictor of the combined endpoint of one-year mortality or rehospitalization for heart failure only in men. NYHA functional class independently predicted adverse outcome in women.

Transcatheter Valve Repair for TricuspidRegurgitation: 1-Year Results from a Large European Real-World Registry.

Tricuspid valve transcatheter edge-to-edge repair has emerged as a valuable treatment option for patients with severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR). This study aims to investigate the safety and effectiveness of the PASCAL transcatheter valve repair system in treating severe TR in a real-world patient population. The PASTE (PASCAL for Tricuspid Regurgitation-a European registry) study is an investigator-initiated, multicenter, retrospective, and prospective observational cohort analysis conducted across 16 European heart valve centers including consecutive patients treated with the PASCAL transcatheter valve repair system from February 2019 to November 2023. Echocardiographic assessments were performed at baseline, discharge, and follow-up, and were subjected to centralized analysis. The study included 1,059 high-risk patients (mean age 79 ± 9 years; 53% female; TRI-SCORE risk 23% ± 18%; 87% NYHA functional class III/IV) with multiple comorbidities. Severe or higher graded TR was observed in 96% of patients. Intraprocedural success according to Tricuspid Valve Academic Research Consortium criteria was achieved in 85%, and TR reduced to ≤moderate in 87%. Independent predictors for a postprocedure residual TR of >moderate were coaptation gaps≥8mm (OR: 1.67; 95%CI: 1.03-2.72; P=0.038), tenting height≥10mm (OR: 2.18; CI: 1.30-3.65; P=0.003), the presence of a transvalvular lead (OR: 1.91; 95% CI: 1.19-3.05; P=0.007), right ventricular dilatation >42mm (OR: 3.35; 95% CI: 1.37-9.1; P=0.009) and massive/torrential TR at baseline (OR: 4.59; 95% CI:2.35-8.96; P< 0.001). At 1 year, 83% of patients showed ≤moderate TR. Significant clinical improvements included enhanced NYHA functional class (66% class I/II vs 17% at baseline; P< 0.001). Patients treated with the first-generation PASCAL system (n = 570) and with the new PASCAL Precision system (n = 489) had similar clinical profiles and TR severity at baseline. However, the Precision cohort showed greater TR reduction to trace/mild (63% vs 49%; P< 0.001), shorter procedure times (median 93minutes [Q1-Q3: 69-130 minutes] vs 120minutes [Q1-Q3: 82-165 minutes]; P< 0.001), and higher clinical success rates according to the Tricuspid Valve Academic Research Consortium at 30days and 1 year (87% vs 81% [P=0.021] and 56% vs 50% [P=0.044], respectively). Higher center experience (≥21 patients/year) resulted in higher intraprocedural and clinical success. The PASCAL system effectively treats severe TR in high-risk patients, offering sustained TR reduction and significant clinical improvements at 1-year follow-up. (PASCAL for Tricuspid Regurgitation-a European registry [PASTE]; NCT05328284).

Comparative analysis of MitraClip/TriClip and PASCAL in transcatheter tricuspid valve repair for tricuspid regurgitation: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundThe edge-to-edge transcatheter tricuspid valve repair (TTVR) has emerged as a promising technique for the treatment of tricuspid regurgitation (TR). Despite its potential, comparative data on the performance of the novel edge-to-edge devices—MitraClip, PASCAL, and TriClip—remain controversial. In this study, we aim to evaluate the safety and efficacy of these devices in treating TR.MethodsFive databases were systematically searched up to May 2023, with an updated search conducted in May 2024. Only original studies were included in the analysis and were critically evaluated using an adapted version of the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) for observational cohort studies and the Cochrane Risk of Bias (ROB) tool for randomized controlled trials.ResultsThe database search yielded 2239 studies, out of which 21 studies were included in the final analysis. These studies encompassed a total of 2178 patients who underwent TTVR using either the MitraClip, TriClip, or PASCAL devices. The risk of bias across these studies ranged from moderate to high. No significant differences were found among the three devices in terms of effective regurgitant orifice area (EROA) and tricuspid regurgitant volume. However, TriClip demonstrated statistically superior efficacy in reducing vena contracta compared to both MitraClip and PASCAL (P < 0.01) [TriClip: (MD = -7.4; 95% CI: -9.24, -5.56), MitraClip: (MD = -4.04; 95% CI: -5.03, -3.05), and PASCAL: (MD = -6.56; 95% CI: -7.76, -5.35)]. The procedural success rates and incidence of single leaflet device attachment (SLDA) were similar across all devices. Furthermore, there were no significant differences in mortality, stroke rates, or major bleeding events among the three devices.ConclusionThe TriClip outperforms the MitraClip and PASCAL in reducing vena contracta width, indicating greater effectiveness for severe tricuspid regurgitation. All devices show similar safety profiles and procedural success rates. Further research is needed to confirm these results.

Research Progress of Transcatheter Tricuspid Regurgitation Repair Device

The tricuspid valve has been nicknamed the "forgotten valve" and is often neglected by clinicians. However, tricuspid regurgitation is a common clinical heart valve disease. With the continuous development of transcatheter interventional medical device technology, the treatment of tricuspid regurgitation has gradually attracted attention, and more and more companies are developing interventional medical devices for treating this disease. This review will provide an overview of the current research progress on transcatheter therapy for tricuspid regurgitation repair devices at home and abroad, including the design principles, operational steps, clinical outcomes, and the advantages and disadvantages of these devices.

Residual tricuspid regurgitation after tricuspid transcatheter edge-to-edge repair: Insights into the EuroTR registry.

Data on the prognostic impact of residual tricuspid regurgitation (TR) after tricuspid transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (T-TEER) are scarce. The aim of this analysis was to evaluate 2-year survival and symptomatic outcomes of patients in relation to residual TR after T-TEER. Using the large European Registry of Transcatheter Repair for Tricuspid Regurgitation (EuroTR registry) we investigated the impact of residual TR on 2-year all-cause mortality and New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class at follow-up. The study further identified predictors for residual TR ≥3+ using a logistic regression model. The study included a total of 1286 T-TEER patients (mean age 78.0 ± 8.9 years, 53.6% female). TR was successfully reduced to ≤1+ in 42.4%, 2+ in 40.0% and 3+ in 14.9% of patients at discharge, while 2.8% remained with TR ≥4+ after the procedure. Residual TR ≥3+ was an independent multivariable predictor of 2-year all-cause mortality (hazard ratio 2.06, 95% confidence interval 1.30-3.26, p = 0.002). The prevalence of residual TR ≥3+ was four times higher in patients with higher baseline TR (vena contracta >11.1 mm) and more severe tricuspid valve tenting (tenting area >1.92 cm2). Of note, no survival difference was observed in patients with residual TR ≤1+ versus 2+ (76.2% vs. 73.1%, p = 0.461). The rate of NYHA functional class ≥III at follow-up was significantly higher in patients with residual TR ≥3+ (52.4% vs. 40.5%, p < 0.001). Of note, the degree of TR reduction significantly correlated with the extent of symptomatic improvement (p = 0.012). T-TEER effectively reduced TR severity in the majority of patients. While residual TR ≥3+ was associated with worse outcomes, no differences were observed for residual TR 1+ versus 2+. Symptomatic improvement correlated with the degree of TR reduction.

Tricuspid regurgitation and heart failure: the fate of treated vs. untreated cohort in the percutaneous era.

Tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is associated with heart failure (HF) and reduced survival. Within a short-time period, transcatheter tricuspid valve repair or replacement (TTVR/TTVr) for TR has evolved from innovation to clinical reality. The present study's aim is to provide 1-year results between TR patients treated with TTVR and TTVr compared with untreated patients, in terms of cardiac survival, rehospitalization, right-side HF symptom development, and New York Heart Association (NYHA) improvement. Seventy-seven patients (pts) have been prospectively inserted into a dedicated database from January 2020 till January 2023. Twenty-six patients (33.8%) have been treated with TTVR/r [treated group (TG)], and 51 pts (66.2%) have been left untreated with medical therapy optimization [untreated group (UNTG)]. Analysing the cardiac death between the two groups, there was a significant statistical difference since TG has less incidence of exitus in the general population (P = 0.05). Concerning HF hospitalization, TG has a lower incidence with a P = 0.005. In TG, there was a significant improvement in NYHA class at follow-up (FUP) (P = 0.001) as well as an improvement in right-side HF symptoms (P = 0.001). This study shows that treatment in the case of TR with right-side HF has a positive impact on cardiac death and HF hospitalization at 1 year. And there is a significant improvement in clinical and echocardiographic status at FUP in the TG.

Outcomes of Concomitant Maze Procedure in Tricuspid Repair for Severe Tricuspid Regurgitation.

We aimed to analyze the impact of concomitant Maze procedure on the clinical and rhythm outcomes, and echocardiographic parameters in tricuspid repair for patients with severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR) and persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). Patients who had severe TR and persistent AF and underwent tricuspid valve (TV) repair were included in the study. Both primary TR and secondary TR were included in the current study. The study population was stratified according to Maze procedure. The primary outcome was major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular event (MACCE) at 15 years post-surgery. Propensity-score matching analyses was performed to adjust baseline differences. Three hundred seventy-one patients who underwent tricuspid repair for severe TR and persistent AF from 1994 to 2021 were included, and 198 patients (53.4%) underwent concomitant Maze procedure. The maze group showed 10-year sinus rhythm (SR) restoration rate of 55%. In the matched cohort, the maze group showed a lower cumulative incidence of cardiac death (4.6% vs. 14.4%, P = 0.131), readmission for heart failure (8.1% vs. 22.2%, P = 0.073), and MACCE (21.1% vs. 42.1%, P = 0.029) at 15 years compared to the non-maze group. Left atrial (LA) diameter significantly decreased in the maze group at 5 years (53.3 vs. 59.6 mm, P < 0.001) after surgery compared to preoperative level, and there was a significant difference in the change of LA diameter over time between the two groups (P = 0.013). The Maze procedure during TV repair in patients with severe TR and persistent AF showed acceptable SR rates and lower MACCE rates compared to those without the procedure, while also promoting LA reverse remodeling.

Transcatheter Tricuspid Valve Intervention for the Treatment of Tricuspid Regurgitation with TriClip: All You Need to Know.

Severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is a common pathology in the daily practice of a cardiologist. This disease entity is associated with significant morbidity and mortality if left untreated. Classically, surgical repair or replacement were the only therapeutic options present and were often not performed due to high postprocedural mortality. Transcatheter tricuspid valve intervention has emerged as a novel and effective therapeutic option for the treatment of significant TR. Several devices have been developed with different mechanisms of action. In this review, we will provide an overview of transcatheter edge-to-edge repair of TR using the TriClip device (Abbott, Santa Clara, CA, USA).

Role of right ventricular remodeling in functional status and prognosis after transcatheter tricuspid valve repair

Abstract Background Severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is associated with chronic volume overload and right ventricular remodeling (RVR). Transcatheter tricuspid valve repair (TTVr) reduces TR and can improve quality of life (QoL), but the role of preprocedural RVR on functional and clinical outcomes after TTVr remains unclear. Purpose Aim of this study was to investigate the role of RVR on functional and clinical outcomes after TTVr for severe TR. Methods RVR was defined as dilation of right ventricular mid-level diameter (&amp;gt;35 mm) according to current guidelines. In 226 patients undergoing TTVr (edge-to-edge repair or annuloplasty) for severe TR with heart failure (HF), outcomes were compared between 139 patients with RVR and 87 patients without RVR. Functionality and QoL were evaluated using NYHA class, Minnesota Living With Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ), 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), and 6-Minute-Walking-Distance (6MWD) 30 days after TTVr. Clinical outcome was assessed through one-year and long-term mortality, HF rehospitalization and need for repeat TV intervention. Results Symptomatic improvement of at least one NYHA class was achieved regardless of RVR (58% vs. 66% of patients with vs. without RVR). Functionality and QoL improved without statistical difference in both groups, with clinically relevant 6MWD improvement of ≥50m in 34% vs. 36% of patients with vs. without RVR; clinically relevant MLHFQ improvement of ≥5 points was present in 70% vs. 81% of patients with vs. without RVR; and clinically relevant SF-36 improvement of ≥2.5 points in 65% vs. 69% with vs. without RVR. One-year mortality after TTVr was 24% vs. 8% in patients with RVR vs. without RVR (p=0.02). One-year HF rehospitalization after TTVr was 30% vs. 13% in patients with vs. without RVR (p=0.04), whereas need for repeat TTVr was not associated with RVR. Long-term follow-up was available after 457±403 days. In multivariable analysis, RVR remained an independent predictor of long-term mortality (HR 2.3, 95%CI [1.03-5.1], p=0.04) and of the combined endpoint of long-term mortality or HF rehospitalization (HR 2.4, 95%CI [1.06-5.5], p=0.04). Conclusion TTVr resulted in clinically relevant improvement of functionality and QoL in patients with HF already after one month, irrespective of RVR. Patients with preprocedural RVR had higher rates of one-year mortality and HF hospitalization. However, preprocedural RVR should not be considered as marker of TTVr futility.

Comparison of transcatheter leaflet-approximation and direct annuloplasty in tricuspid regurgitation

BackgroundTranscatheter repair emerges as a treatment option in patients with tricuspid regurgitation (TR) and high surgical risk.AimsThis study aimed to compare leaflet-based and annuloplasty-based transcatheter repair in patients with TR.MethodsIn a retrospective analysis consecutive patients undergoing either transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) or direct annuloplasty (AP) for relevant TR at 2 centers were compared with respect to baseline characteristics, procedural efficacy and safety (death, myocardial infarction, procedure or device-related cardiothoracic surgery, or stroke at 30 days).Results161 patients (57% female, median age 79 [75–82] years) with comparable clinical baseline characteristics in the TEER (n = 87) and AP (n = 74) group were examined. Baseline TR grade was significantly less severe in the TEER compared to the AP group (torrential 9.2 vs. 31.1%, p = 0.001). Technical success and improvement of TR grades were not significantly different across groups. In analysis matched for baseline TR severity, reduction of TR grade to less than moderate was significantly more common in the AP group (47.8 vs. 26.1%, p = 0.031). Major or more severe bleeding occurred in 9.2% of TEER and 20.3% of AP patients (p = 0.049) without any fatal bleedings. Major adverse events (MAE) were similar across groups with four patients (4.7%) in the TEER group and five patients (6.9%) in the AP group (p = 0.733) and 6-month survival did not differ significantly.ConclusionsDifferences observed between patients treated with TEER and AP provide first evidence for tailoring distinct transcatheter treatment techniques to individual patient characteristics.Graphic abstract

TRI-SCORE is superior to EuroSCORE II and STS-Score in mortality prediction following transcatheter edge-to-edge tricuspid valve repair

BackgroundThe development of transcatheter tricuspid edge-to-edge repair for tricuspid regurgitation is a therapeutic milestone but a specific periprocedural risk assessment tool is lacking. TRI-SCORE has recently been introduced as a dedicated risk score for tricuspid valve surgery.AimsThis study analyzes the predictive performance of TRI-SCORE following transcatheter edge-to-edge tricuspid valve repair.Methods180 patients who underwent transcatheter tricuspid valve repair at Ulm University Hospital were consecutively included and stratified into three TRI-SCORE risk groups. The predictive performance of TRI-SCORE was assessed throughout a follow-up period of 30 days and up to 1 year.ResultsAll patients had severe tricuspid regurgitation. Median EuroSCORE II was 6.4% (IQR 3.8–10.1%), median STS-Score 8.1% (IQR 4.6–13.4%) and median TRI-SCORE 6.0 (IQR 4.0–7.0). 64 patients (35.6%) were in the low TRI-SCORE group, 91 (50.6%) in the intermediate and 25 (13.9%) in the high-risk groups. The procedural success rate was 97.8%. 30-day mortality was 0% in the low-risk group, 1.3% in the intermediate-risk and 17.4% in the high-risk groups (p < 0.001). During a median follow-up of 168 days mortality was 0%, 3.8% and 52.2%, respectively (p < 0.001). The predictive performance of TRI-SCORE was excellent (AUC for 30-day mortality: 90.3%, for one-year mortality: 93.1%) and superior to EuroSCORE II (AUC 56.6% and 64.4%, respectively) and STS-Score (AUC 61.0% and 59.0%, respectively).ConclusionTRI-SCORE is a valuable tool for prediction of mortality after transcatheter edge-to-edge tricuspid valve repair and its performance is superior to EuroSCORE II and STS-Score.Graphical abstractIn a monocentric cohort of 180 patients undergoing edge-to-edge tricuspid valve repair TRI-SCORE predicted 30-day and up to one-year mortality more reliably than EuroSCORE II and STS-Score.AUC area under the curve, 95% CI 95% confidence interval

Papillary muscle approximation in chronic ovine functional tricuspid regurgitation

ObjectiveIsolated tricuspid ring annuloplasty remains the surgical standard for functional tricuspid regurgitation repair but offers suboptimal results when right ventricular dilation and remodeling along with papillary muscle displacement is present. Addressing subvalvular remodeling with papillary muscle approximation may improve clinical outcomes. MethodsFunctional tricuspid regurgitation and biventricular dysfunction were induced in 8 healthy sheep by rapid ventricular pacing (200-240 bpm) for 27 ± 6 days. Subsequently, animals underwent cardiopulmonary bypass for implantation of sonomicrometry crystals on the tricuspid annulus, right ventricle, and papillary muscle tips. Papillary approximation sutures were anchored between anterior-posterior and anterior-septal papillary muscles and externalized through right ventricular free wall to epicardial tourniquets. After weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass, sequential papillary muscle approximations were performed. Simultaneous hemodynamic, sonomicrometry, and echocardiographic data were collected at baseline and after each papillary muscle approximation. ResultsWith rapid pacing, right ventricular fractional area change decreased from 59 ± 6% to 38 ± 8% (P < .001), whereas tricuspid annulus diameter increased from 2.4 ± 0.3 cm to 3.3 ± 0.6 cm (P = .003). Tricuspid regurgitation (0-4+) increased from +0 ± 0 to +3.3 ± 0.7 (P < .001). Both anterior–posterior and anterior–septal papillary muscle approximation significantly reduced functional tricuspid regurgitation from +3.3 ± 0.7 to +2 ± 0.5 and +1.9 ± 0.6, respectively (P < .001). Reduction of tricuspid insufficiency with both subvalvular interventions was associated with decreased distance of the anterior papillary muscle to the annular centroid. ConclusionsPapillary muscle approximations were effective in reducing severe ovine functional tricuspid regurgitation associated with right ventricular dilation and papillary muscle displacement. Further studies are needed to evaluate efficacy of this adjunct to ring annuloplasty in repair of severe functional tricuspid regurgitation.

Oesophageal and gastric injuries caused by transoesophageal probe manipulation in patients undergoing transcatheter edge-to-edge repair for tricuspid regurgitation.

Oesophageal and gastric injuries caused by transoesophageal probe manipulation in patients undergoing transcatheter edge-to-edge repair for tricuspid regurgitation.

Leaflet Morphology and its Implications for Direct Transcatheter Annuloplasty of Tricuspid Regurgitation.

Leaflet morphology has been associated with treatment success in edge-to-edge repair of tricuspid regurgitation (TR), but the impact on annuloplasty is unclear. The authors sought to examine the association of leaflet morphology with efficacy and safety of direct annuloplasty in TR. The authors analyzed patients who underwent catheter-based direct annuloplasty with the Cardioband at 3 centers. Leaflet morphology was assessed according to number and location of leaflets by echocardiography. Patients with simple morphology (2 or 3 leaflets) were compared with complex morphology (>3 leaflets). The study included 120 patients (median age 80 years) with≥severe TR. A total of 48.3% of patients had a 3-leaflet morphology, 5% a 2-leaflet morphology, and 46.7% had >3 tricuspid leaflets. Baseline characteristics did not differ relevantly between groups except for a higher incidence of torrential TR grade (50 vs 26.6%) in complex morphologies. Postprocedural improvement of 1 (90.6% vs 92.9%) and 2 (71.9% vs 67.9%) TR grades was not significantly different between groups, but patients with complex morphology had more often residual TR≥3 at discharge (48.2 vs 26.6%; P=0.014). This difference did not remain significant (P=0.112) after adjusting for baseline TR severity, coaptation gap, and nonanterior jet localization. Safety endpoints including complications of the right coronary artery, and technical success did not show significant differences. Efficacy and safety of transcatheter direct annuloplasty using Cardioband are not affected by leaflet morphology. Assessment of leaflet morphology should be part of procedural planning in patients with TR and might help to individually tailor repair techniques to patient anatomy.

Surgical edge-to-edge repair for tricuspid regurgitation: Impact of the concomitant annuloplasty

BackgroundSurgical edge-to-edge repair has been suggested for tricuspid regurgitation (TR) with complex tricuspid valve (TV) pathologies. Nevertheless, the impact of concomitant TAP has not been well established. This study aimed to compare the outcomes of tricuspid edge-to-edge repair according to the implementation of concomitant TAP. MethodsA total of 264 patients who underwent tricuspid edge-to-edge repair between January 2001 and December 2020 were enrolled in the study, and 23 patients who had undergone previous TV repair were excluded. The remaining 241 patients were categorized into two groups: TAP (n = 190) and non-TAP (n = 51). Inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) was used to adjust the baseline differences between the two groups. ResultsEarly mortality and morbidity did not differ between the two groups. The mean follow-up duration was 111.5 ± 72.4 months. IPTW-adjusted survival analysis did not reveal a difference between the two groups in late significant tricuspid stenosis (trans-tricuspid pressure gradient ≥5 mmHg) and TV reoperations. However, freedom from overall mortality and late severe TR were significantly higher in the TAP group (p = 0.033 and 0.006, respectively). The sensitivity analysis, including propensity score matching, showed consistent results. ConclusionThe long-term outcomes of surgical tricuspid edge-to-edge repair were better when performed with concomitant TAP.

Abstract 14109: Safety and Effectiveness of Trans-Catheter Tricuspid Valve Repair in the Elderly and Very Elderly Patients

Introduction: Symptomatic tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is associated with a high mortality rate and high HF-related hospitalization. Symptomatic therapy in the elderly and very elderly patients remains weak in controlling severe TR. Patients with an increased risk of surgical repair of the TR seemed to benefit from transcatheter tricuspid valve repair procedures. Hypothesis: Therefore, we thought to analyze the postprocedural safety and success of the transcatheter tricuspid valve repair in octogenarians and older patients. Methods: Elderly patients with severe and symptomatic TR were presented and evaluated in the heart team. Patients with high surgical risks underwent transcatheter tricuspid valve repair procedures in our center. Post-procedural transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) procedure was performed to determine the TR grade and exclude procedure-related complications. Results: Thirty-three consecutive patients, older than 80 years (84.45 ±3.12, 14 men and 19 women, who received transcatheter TR repair between September 2021 and January 2022 were enrolled. The baseline characteristics are presented in table 1. Procedural success, defined as reducing the TR to grad I-II, was achieved in 97 % of the patients (3.79±0.65 vs. 1.55±0.56, P = 0.011). All patients improved in the New York Heart Association functional class (2.85±0.50 vs. 1.39±0.056 30 days after the intervention). No procedure-related death was registered. 87.9 % (n=29) survival rate was achieved 3 months after the intervention. No clip embolization was detected in 3 months echocardiography control. Conclusions: Our preliminary results indicate that transcatheter tricuspid valve repair procedures are safe and effective therapeutic option in elderly and very elderly patients with severe TR and high surgical risks. Therefore, this therapy should be considered despite age and comorbidities for effective symptomatic treatment in this cohort.

Case report: Transcatheter edge-to-edge repair after prior surgical tricuspid annuloplasty

Residual and recurrent tricuspid regurgitation may occur frequently after surgical tricuspid valve repair. However, reoperation for tricuspid regurgitation is rare, although many patients are again highly symptomatic. Tricuspid transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) is a promising therapy for severe tricuspid regurgitation. Herein, we report a 77-year-old woman with recurrent symptomatic massive tricuspid regurgitation 2 years after sutured annuloplasty of the tricuspid valve. TEER was successfully performed using the TriClip® device and tricuspid regurgitation was reduced to a mild degree. In conclusion, tricuspid TEER is feasible following surgical suture annuloplasty. TEER is an alternative option for patients with a failed previous annuloplasty repair for tricuspid regurgitation to undergo a less invasive treatment rather than a potentially higher-risk reoperation.

Multicenter Experience With the Transcatheter Leaflet Repair System for Symptomatic Tricuspid Regurgitation.

Transcatheter treatment techniques for tricuspid regurgitation (TR) have evolved in recent years, with leaflet repair being the most commonly used, but thus far evidence on the PASCAL and PASCAL Ace system is based mainly on compassionate use data. This is the first report on commercial use in a multicenter study with a large patient cohort investigating the safety and efficacy of the PASCAL and PASCAL Ace system in the treatment of TR. In a retrospective, multicenter, observational setting, data from all consecutive patients undergoing leaflet repair for TR at 8 centers was collected, including a centralized analysis of echocardiographic data. A total of 235 high-risk patients (mean age 78 ± 8 years, 49% women, mean Society of Thoracic Surgeons Predicted Risk of Mortality score 8.6% ± 6.8%) were included. TR was functional in 87% of patients and graded severe or higher in 91%. TR was successfully reduced to moderate or less in 78% of patients (P< 0.001). Procedural success was 78% (n=153). At the latest available follow-up (median 173days), TR reduction was sustained (78% with TR moderate orless; P< 0.001), and echocardiography showed indications of right ventricular remodeling (mean right ventricular end-diastolic diameter 56 ± 9mm vs 53 ± 9mm; P< 0.001). Patients' symptoms diminished significantly (63% were inNew York Heart Association functional class I or II at follow-up; P< 0.001). In a device-specific analysis, the PASCAL andPASCAL Ace showed no difference in TR reduction (postprocedural TR moderate or less in 77% vs 78%; P=0.82). In early clinical experience, the PASCAL (Ace) leaflet repair system has high technical and procedural success rates with efficient TR reduction and significant clinical and echocardiographic improvement at follow-up.

Understanding Dyspnea in a Patient with Pulmonary Vein Stenosis

<h3>Introduction</h3> 53-year-old female with a medical history of familial dilated cardiomyopathy, status post atrial fibrillation ablation in 2014 complicated by left pulmonary vein stenosis (PVS) requiring stenting, presents with dyspnea post surgical valve repair for tricuspid regurgitation. <h3>Case Report</h3> The patient presented with dyspnea and orthopnea for 1 month post cardiac surgery which did not improve with diuresis. Right heart catheterization confirmed euvolemia and preserved cardiac output. Given the history of PVS, lung perfusion scan was obtained which revealed left lung perfusion of 6% and right lung perfusion of 94% (1A). CTA confirmed occluded left sided pulmonary vein (1B). Further review of records confirmed that lung perfusion scan demonstrated similar results 4 years ago, and thus PVS did not adequately explain her acute dyspnea. Pulmonary function testing was obtained revealing FEV1 39% predicted, FVC 37% of predicted, FEV1/FVC 106% predicted, suggestive of new restrictive physiology. There was no significant parenchymal lung disease on chest CT to explain this finding, so chest fluoroscopy was performed. This confirmed right hemidiaphragm paralysis (1C), most likely secondary to phrenic nerve injury during cardiac surgery. Home noninvasive positive pressure ventilation at night was instituted, and over time her symptoms improved. <h3>Summary</h3> Patients with chronic unilateral PVS may be asymptomatic if there is adequate contralateral pulmonary reserve. Additional etiologies of dyspnea should be excluded in such patients. Unilateral hemidiaphragm paralysis is frequently asymptomatic. However, in rare circumstances, these two syndromes can occur on contralateral sides resulting in debilitating symptoms.