Severe Isolated Tricuspid Regurgitation Research Articles

Transcatheter bicaval valve system for the treatment of severe isolated tricuspid regurgitation. Features from a single-Centre experience

BackgroundThe isolated tricuspid valve (TR) has evolved into an entity in its own right. In contrast to TR treatment in left valve surgery, the benefit of surgery for isolated TR remains controversial. In this context, transcatheter valve interventions (TTVI) are becoming increasingly important. In this report, we present our experience with TricValve in a single center. MethodsFrom March 2022 to September 2023, 13 patients with at least severe isolated TR were scheduled for TricValve implantation. The mean age was 81 years (77–87), 5 were female and 8 were male. All patients were older than 70 years and had at least severe TR, hepatic or peripheral congestion and high surgical risk. ResultsNo procedure failure or device embolization was recorded. One case died in hospital 6 days after implantation and 1 case died after 124 days from irreversible renal and hepatic failure. The survival rate was 80.2% ± 12.8; the proportion of patients in NYHA class I increased significantly to 45% at follow-up. Among the 11 survivors, the median NT -proBNP decreased from 2873 to 148 pg/mL at follow-up (p = 0.003). In addition, a significant reduction in furosemide dosage from 125 mg to 50 mg at follow-up was observed over time. Finally, TR grade improved significantly along with RV size. ConclusionsThis procedure appears to be safe and effective in carefully selected patients. Given the extreme simplicity of the procedure, the TricValve will increasingly represent one of the most viable treatment options for this patient group in the future.

Prognostic value of right atrial strain in patients with isolated severe tricuspid regurgitation

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Introduction Moderate or severe isolated Tricuspid regurgitation (TR) can lead to right ventricular (RV) dysfunction and adverse outcome. Only few patients with significant TR undergo intervention, and the optimal timing for intervention remains elusive. The right atrium (RA) is the receiving chamber of the tricuspid regurgitant volume. Changes in RA function has been described in chronic severe TR, specifically reduction in right atrial reservoir strain (RARS). The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of RA function in a cohort of patients with isolated severe TR. Materials and Methods Clinical, laboratory and echocardiographic data from 105 consecutive patients with isolated moderate-severe TR (grade≥+3) were analyzed. RARS was evaluated by two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography using a semi-automated software (TOMTEC, Philips). The cohort was divided into two groups: RARS value above or below 10.9%, according to an optimal threshold obtained by a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Results and discussion A total of 105 patients (mean age 79Y, 59% female) were included. Compared with patients with higher RARS, patients with RARS≤10.9% had higher rate of atrial fibrillation and worse RV function. Lower RARS was also associated with larger inferior vena cava diameter, abnormal cholestatic liver enzymes and higher rate of diuretic use. During a median follow-up period of 19 months (IQR:8–25), 39 (37%) patients died. Patients with RARS ≤10.9% had significantly lower survival rates compared with patients with RARS>10.9 (60% vs. 20%; P<.001). A multivariable analysis (including age, RV longitudinal strain, systolic pulmonary artery pressure and atrial fibrillation) showed that lower RARS was independently associated with higher all-cause mortality (OR 2.47, 95%CI [1.07–6.06]; P=0.03). Conclusions Impaired RA function assessed by echocardiographic RA reservoir strain is independently associated with all-cause mortality in patients with isolated severe TR. Serial measurement of RARS can potentially aid in optimizing timing for intervention in patients with TR.

Prognostic value of the liver fibrosis marker fibrosis-5 index in patients with severe isolated tricuspid regurgitation: comparison with fibrosis-4 index.

The fibrosis-4 index (FIB4), a liver fibrosis maker, has been shown to be associated with the prognosis in patients with severe isolated tricuspid regurgitation (TR). Recent study showed that the fibrosis-5 index (FIB5), which was calculated by albumin, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate transaminase, alanine aminotransferase and platelet count, had better prognostic value than FIB4 in patients with heart failure. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of FIB5 index for predicting prognosis in patients with severe isolated TR and compare the prognostic value between the FIB4 and the FIB5 in those patients. This was a dual-center, retrospective study. 113 consecutive outpatients with severe isolated TR (mean age, 65.8years; 47.8% male) were analyzed. Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) were defined as the composite of cardiovascular death, hospitalization for heart failure, myocardial infarction, and stroke. During a median follow-up of 3.0years, 41 MACEs occurred. Patients with MACEs had a lower the FIB5 than patients without MACEs. The multivariate Cox analysis revealed that the FIB5 < -4.30 was significantly associated with higher incidence of MACEs after adjusted by confounding factors. Receiver-operating characteristic curve analyses showed that prognostic values did not differ between the FIB5 and the FIB4 in whole patients and in patients aged ≥ 70years; while, in patients aged < 70years, the FIB5 had better prognostic value than the FIB4. The FIB5 may be a useful predictor of MACEs in patients with severe isolated TR.

Factors Associated With the Occurrence of Significant Mitral Regurgitation After Tricuspid Valve Surgery for Severe Isolated Tricuspid Regurgitation

In patients with isolated severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR), the degree of mitral regurgitation (MR) tends to be masked. Right ventricular (RV) dilation and dysfunction following chronic TR promote left ventricular (LV) underfilling and limit MR. After stand-alone tricuspid valve (TV) surgery, MR can progress as the reduced LV preload is restored.1 In mitral valve (MV) surgery, even if TR is not severe, TV surgery is recommended if the TV annulus increases to a certain level or in the presence of moderate TR.

The Fibrosis-4 Index Predicts Cardiovascular Prognosis in Patients With Severe Isolated Tricuspid Regurgitation.

The fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) index is used to evaluate liver disease patients. It can also be used to evaluate the prognosis for heart disease patients; however, its ability to determine the prognosis of severe isolated tricuspid regurgitation (TR) patients is unclear. This study aimed to clarify the association between FIB-4 index scores and the cardiovascular prognosis for severe isolated TR patients.Methods and Results: This was a dual-center, retrospective study. From 2011 to 2019, 111 consecutive outpatients with severe isolated TR (mean age, 68.6 years; 53.2% male) were evaluated. Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) were defined as the composite of cardiovascular death, hospitalization for heart failure, myocardial infarction, and stroke. The association between FIB-4 index scores and echocardiography was also evaluated. During a median follow up of 3.0 years, 24 patients were lost to follow up and 40 MACEs occurred. Baseline FIB-4 index scores for patients with MACEs were significantly higher than those for patients without MACEs. A multivariate analysis revealed that FIB-4 index scores are significantly associated with MACEs (hazard ratio, 1.89; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-3.54; P=0.046). A linear regression analysis indicated that FIB-4 index scores were correlated with echocardiographic parameters, including the left atrial volume index and left ventricular end-diastolic diameter. The FIB-4 index score may be a useful predictor of MACEs for patients with severe isolated TR.

Prognostic Implications of Biventricular Global Longitudinal Strain in Patients With Severe Isolated Tricuspid Regurgitation.

BackgroundIsolated TV surgery can be performed in patients with symptoms caused by severe isolated tricuspid regurgitation (TR), preferably before the onset of significant right ventricular (RV) dysfunction. In patients with severe TR, intrinsic RV dysfunction tends to be masked and promotes left ventricular (LV) mechanical dysfunction. This study investigated the prognostic implications of biventricular global longitudinal strain (GLS) in patients receiving isolated tricuspid valve (TV) surgery.MethodsAmong 1,670 patients who underwent TV surgery between January 2000 and December 2020, 111 patients with severe isolated TR who underwent echocardiography before and after TV surgery were analyzed. We assessed LV, RV, and biventricular GLS using speckle tracking echocardiography. Biventricular GLS was defined as the sum of LV-GLS and RV free-wall strain. The primary outcomes were cardiovascular death, heart failure hospitalization, re-done TV surgery, and heart transplantation.ResultsDuring 3.9 ± 3.8 years of follow-up after the postoperative echocardiography, 24 (21.6%) patients experienced a primary outcome. Those patients had more comorbidities and more impaired preoperative RV-GLS and biventricular GLS than those who did not experience a primary outcome, although the two groups did not differ in preoperative LV-GLS. Patients with a primary outcome also showed significantly impaired postoperative RV-GLS, biventricular GLS, and LV-GLS compared those without a primary outcome. In multivariate analyses, both pre- and postoperatively assessed RV-GLS [preoperative; hazard ratio (HR) 0.86, confidence interval (CI) 0.79–0.93, p < 0.001, postoperative; HR 0.89, CI 0.82–0.96, p = 0.004] and biventricular GLS [preoperative; HR 0.96, CI 0.91–1.00, p = 0.048, postoperative; HR 0.94, CI 0.89–0.99, p = 0.023] were independently associated with the primary outcomes.ConclusionIn patients with severe isolated TR undergoing TV surgery, the absolute value of RV-GLS under 17.2% is closely associated with a poor prognosis, and that of biventricular GLS under 34.0%, mainly depending on the RV-GLS, is related to the poor prognosis. Further prospective multicenter studies are warranted to establish the risk stratification of isolated TV surgery.

Longitudinal change in postoperative right ventricular systolic function in patients undergoing surgery for isolated tricuspid regurgitation

Right ventricular (RV) dysfunction is an indication for tricuspid valve (TV) surgery in patients with severe isolated tricuspid regurgitation (TR). Postoperative RV dysfunction is associated with poor outcome; however, the longitudinal changes in RV function before and after surgery have not been established. We retrospectively analyzed 24 patients who underwent TV surgery for isolated severe TR. For assessing RV systolic function, we measured the RV fractional area change (RVFAC) at baseline, and 1 (immediate) and 4–20 (late) months after surgery. We divided patients into 2 groups according to the RVFAC late after surgery (<35%, post-op. reduced; and ≥35%, post-op. preserved). The mean RVFAC was significantly decreased immediately after surgery compared to baseline (41.5 ± 10.1% vs. 32.2 ± 9.6%; p < 0.001). The RVFAC reduction was still observed late after surgery (35.5 ± 7.4%; p = 0.002). Of 24 patients, 12 patients (50%) had preserved RV systolic function late after surgery. Although there was no significant difference in the preoperative RVFAC between the 2 groups, the preoperative RV end-systolic area (RVESA) /body surface area (BSA) was significantly less in the post-op. preserved RV systolic function group (13.8 ± 4.3 cm2/m2 vs. 8.6 ± 2.6 cm2/m2; p = 0.001). The optimal cut-off value for the preoperative RVESA/BSA in detecting postoperative preserved RV systolic function was 10.8 cm2/m2 (AUC, 0.85; sensitivity, 91.7%; and specificity, 75.0%). In patients undergoing surgery for isolated severe TR, the RVFAC was significantly decreased immediately after surgery and the reduction continued late after surgery. The preoperative RVESA/BSA might be helpful to predict preserved RV function after surgery.

Abstract 13860: Prognostic Implication of Biventricular Global Longitudinal Strain in Patients Undergoing Tricuspid Valve Surgery for Severe Isolated Tricuspid Regurgitation

Introduction: Isolated tricuspid valve (TV) surgery can be performed for patients with symptoms due to severe isolated tricuspid regurgitation (TR), preferentially before the onset of significant right ventricular (RV) dysfunction. In patients with severe TR, chronic RV volume overload may mask intrinsic myocardial dysfunction. Ultimately, RV dysfunction promotes LV underfilling, which can lead to left ventricular (LV) mechanical dysfunction. Hypothesis: Pre and postoperative biventricular global longitudinal strain (GLS) would give prognostic information in patients with isolated severe TR. Methods: In 117 patients who underwent TV surgery with severe isolated TR in a single tertiary center, we comprehensively assessed LV, RV, and biventricular global longitudinal strain (GLS) by speckle tracking echocardiography before and at least 1 month after TV surgery. Biventricular GLS was defined as a summation of LV-GLS and RV free wall strain. Patients with a history of open-heart surgery, severe left-side valve disease, reduced LV ejection fraction, and who underwent concomitant coronary artery bypass surgery were not included. Primary outcomes were defined as a composite of death, heart failure hospitalization, re-do TV surgery, and heart transplantation. Results: During a mean of 4.3 ± 3.9 years after TV surgery, 26 patients (22.2%) had experienced primary outcomes. In patients with primary outcomes, a previous history of diabetes mellitus and atrial fibrillation were more common, and

Determinants of Morbidity and Mortality Associated With Isolated Tricuspid Valve Surgery.

BackgroundWhether the poor outcomes of isolated tricuspid valve surgery are related to the operation itself or to certain patient characteristics including late referral is unknown.Methods and ResultsAdult patients who underwent isolated tricuspid valve surgery were identified in the Nationwide Readmissions Database (2016–2017). Patients who had redo tricuspid valve surgery, endocarditis, or congenital heart disease were excluded. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify contributors to postoperative mortality. A total of 1513 patients were included (mean age 55.7±16.6 years, 49.6% women). Surrogates of late referral were frequent: 41% of patients were admitted with decompensated heart failure, 44.3% had a nonelective surgery status, 16.8% had advanced liver disease, and 31% had an unplanned hospitalization in the prior 90 days. The operation was performed on day 0 to 1 of the hospitalization in only 50% of patients, and beyond day 10 in 22% of patients. In‐hospital mortality occurred in 8.7% of patients. Median length of stay was 14 days (7–35 days), and median cost was $87 223 ($43 122–$200 872). In multivariable logistic regression analysis, surrogates for late referrals (acute heart failure decompensation, nonelective surgery status, or advanced liver disease) were the strongest predictors of in‐hospital mortality (odds ratio [OR], 4.75; 95% CI, 2.74–8.25 [P<0.001]). This was also consistent in a second model incorporating unplanned hospitalizations in the 90 days before surgery as a surrogate for late referral (OR, 5.50; 95% CI, 2.28–10.71 [P<0.001]).ConclusionsThe poor outcomes of isolated tricuspid valve surgery may be largely explained by the late referral for intervention. Studies are needed to determine the role of early intervention for severe isolated tricuspid regurgitation.

Tricuspid valvuloplasty for isolated tricuspid regurgitation in children.

Isolated congenital tricuspid regurgitation other than Ebstein's anomaly was rare especially for children. The objective of this study was to investigate the clinical characteristics and to assess the results of tricuspid valvuloplasty for children with isolated tricuspid regurgitation. From January 2010 to June 2019, 10 consecutive patients with isolated tricuspid regurgitation who were unresponsive to drug therapy underwent tricuspid valvuloplasty in our hospital. Patients' clinical data were analysed retrospectively. Mean age at operation was 48.5±31.0 (range: 9-106) months and mean weight at operation was 16.1±6.9 (range: 8.6-33.0) kg. All patients presented severe isolated tricuspid regurgitation. According to pathological lesions, the main causes accounted for chordae tendinea rupture (3/10), leaflet cleft (2/10), mal-connected chordal tendinea to leaflets (2/10), elongated chordae (1/10) and chordae absent (1/10), and severe anterior leaflet dysplasia (1/10). Individualised tricuspid valvuloplasty was adapted to all of them successfully. Post-operative echocardiography showed no tricuspid regurgitation in two patients and mild regurgitation in eight patients. The cardiothoracic ratios on their chest roentgenograms decreased from 0.59±0.05 to 0.54±0.05. At the latest follow-up (50.4±47.2 months), echocardiography showed that mild to moderate tricuspid regurgitation in seven patients, moderate tricuspid regurgitation in three patients, and no patient with severe tricuspid regurgitation. All patients were in NYHA functional class I. For patients with isolated tricuspid regurgitation who were not well responsive to drug therapy, individualised tricuspid valve repair can achieve an excellent result.

Current status and prospect of surgical strategy for isolated tricuspid regurgitation following left-sided valve surgery

Severe isolated tricuspid regurgitation following left-sided heart valve surgery appears a growing clinical concern. Due to elevated operational risk of redo-sternotomy operation, it brings upon poor prognosis and decreased quality of life for these patients, and technical challenges for cardiac surgeons as well. With the advancing of minimally invasive surgical theory and skills, Chinese cardiac surgeons are building up their own surgical experience with this patient population. However, there remains controversy about the optimal surgical timing and strategy for these high-risk patients. With the lack of recommendation from evidence-based medicine, it is necessary to learn from the pioneers' experience and contemplate on gains and losses in clinical practice, which would help to improve the safety and outcome of the procedure and to benefit these patients.

The better substitute for tricuspid valve replacement in patients with severe isolated tricuspid regurgitation.

Objective:The ideal alternative for tricuspid valve replacement (TVR) in patients with severe isolated tricuspid regurgitation remains unclear. The aim of the present study was to retrospectively investigate the outcomes of using bioprosthetic and mechanical valves at the tricuspid position.Methods:A total of 98 consecutive patients without left-side cardiac disease or history of heart surgery who underwent first-time TVR between January 2010 and March 2017 at the West China Hospital, China were included in the study. Patient data, including all-cause death and need for tricuspid valve reoperation as the main end points, were retrospectively evaluated.Results:A total of 76 patients were enrolled into the study. The mean follow-up period was 43.3±21.9 (10–87) months. The mean age of the patients was 45.7±13.4 years. The study comprised 32.9% of male patients. During the follow-up period, 4, 3, 12, and 3 cases of death, reoperation, prosthesis dysfunctions, and prosthesis-related thrombosis were noted, respectively. Biological and mechanical valves were used in 56.6% and 43.4% of the patients, respectively. However, there was no significant difference between mechanical and biological valves with respect to echocardiographic date and survival, reoperation, prosthetic valve dysfunction, and thromboembolism rate.Conclusion:TVR is not a very high-risk procedure in patients with isolated tricuspid regurgitation, and the decision for prosthesis implantation in TVR should be made on an individual basis according to suitable clinical judgment.

Actual management and prognosis of severe isolated tricuspid regurgitation associated with atrial fibrillation without structural heart disease

BackgroundPatients with atrial fibrillation (AF) without structural heart diseases can show severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR), especially among aged people. The aim of this study was to clarify the actual management, prognosis, and prognostic factors for severe isolated TR associated with AF without structural heart diseases. Methods and resultsWe retrospectively investigated actual management in 178 consecutive patients with severe isolated TR associated with AF between 1999 and 2011 in our institution. Prognosis and its predictors were also investigated in 115 patients (68 persistent TR and 47 transient TR) who were followed-up for >1year. During the follow-up period (mean: 5.9years), event free rate from death due to right-sided heart failure (RHF) was 97% at 5years. Persistent TR was associated with higher risk of hospitalization due to RHF than transient TR (log-rank P=0.048) and death due to RHF were all seen in patients with persistent TR who experienced hospitalization due to RHF. Among patients with persistent TR, right ventricular outflow tract dimension >35.3mm, right atrial area >40.3cm2, and tenting height >2.1mm were associated with higher risk of hospitalization due to RHF (adjusted hazard ratio: 3.32, 3.83, and 2.89, respectively; P=0.003, 0.002, and 0.009, respectively). ConclusionThe prognosis of severe isolated TR associated with AF was good with a focus on cardiac death. However, the incidence of cardiac death increased among patients who experienced hospitalization due to RHF. Larger right ventricular outflow tract dimension, right atrial area and tenting height were predictors of hospitalization due to RHF.

Tricuspid regurgitation following left-sided valve surgery: echocardiographic evaluation and optimal timing of surgical treatment.

Severe tricuspid regurgitation may often appear and progress late after left-sided valve surgery without left-sided valve dysfunction, significant left heart failure, and pulmonary hypertension. The clinical features, echocardiographic evaluation, treatment, and prognosis of this disease entity have been discussed, but data is limited compared with left-sided valve diseases. Tricuspid annular dilatation associated with atrial fibrillation and right ventricular dysfunction strongly relate to development of isolated tricuspid regurgitation late after left-sided valve surgery. Three-dimensional evaluation may be useful in evaluating tricuspid valve anatomy in more detail. Better prognosis in patients undergoing surgical treatment for severe isolated tricuspid regurgitation than those who were treated medically has been reported; however, the timing of isolated tricuspid valve surgery is often too late. Right ventricular function is a key word for determining the timing of isolated tricuspid valve surgery; however, it is difficult to evaluate by conventional echocardiography. One of the serious issues in the future will be how to accurately evaluate right ventricular function.

Clinical and echocardiographic outcomes after surgery for severe isolated tricuspid regurgitation

Few studies have investigated the outcomes after surgical correction of severe isolated tricuspid regurgitation. The medical records of 51 consecutive patients (aged 55.8 ± 12.9 years, 25 male) who underwent tricuspid valve surgery at the Asan Medical Center between September 1996 and July 2010 were evaluated retrospectively. All patients had severe isolated tricuspid regurgitation but no significant left-sided cardiac disease or history of heart surgery. Tricuspid valve repair (n = 37, 72.5%) or replacement (n = 14, 27.5%) was performed. Replacement involved mechanical (n = 4) or bioprosthetic valves (n = 10). One early death occurred (2.0%). During a median follow-up period of 47.4 months (interquartile range, 10.4-61.4 months), 9 late deaths, 3 readmissions for congestive heart failure, 2 heart transplantations, and 1 tricuspid valve reoperation occurred. Overall and event-free survivals at 5 years were 83.5% ± 5.4% and 77.3% ± 6.1%, respectively. In the multivariable Cox regression analysis, preoperative hemoglobin (P = .045), serum bilirubin (P = .008), estimated glomerular filtration rate (P = .045), and systolic right ventricular dimension (P = .047) were significant and independent determinants of clinical outcome. On serial echocardiographic evaluations (median follow-up period, 28.5 months; interquartile range, 18.9-68.7 months), moderate-to-severe tricuspid regurgitation was detected in 21 patients (41%). Severe tricuspid regurgitation after tricuspid valve repair or bioprosthetic valve replacement was a significant predictor of poor event-free survival, even after adjustment for preoperative risk factors (P = .036). In the present cohort, preoperative anemia, renal/hepatic dysfunction, right ventricular dilatation, and significant postoperative tricuspid regurgitation were associated with poor outcomes. Timely surgery is advisable in patients with severe isolated tricuspid regurgitation before the development of anemia, organ dysfunction, or right ventricular dilatation.

144 Outcome of severe Isolated tricuspid regurgitation in patients without LV dysfunction

144 Outcome of severe Isolated tricuspid regurgitation in patients without LV dysfunction

Vena Contracta Width as a Predictor of Adverse Outcomes in Patients with Severe Isolated Tricuspid Regurgitation

The clinical outcomes and predictors of outcomes in isolated tricuspid regurgitation (TR) are poorly defined. The aim of this study was to investigate the determinants of outcomes in severe isolated TR. Seventy-four patients (mean age, 63 ± 12 years; 34 men) with severe isolated TR who satisfied the criteria of (1) TR jet area > 30% of right atrial area or TR jet area > 10 cm(2) and (2) a plethora of inferior vena cava or systolic flow reversal of the hepatic vein were retrospectively analyzed. The primary end points were hospitalization for worsening heart failure, tricuspid valve (TV) surgery, and cardiovascular death. During the median follow-up period of 53 months, 25 events occurred (three cardiovascular deaths, nine TV surgeries, and 13 hospitalizations for worsening heart failure). Univariate Cox analysis showed that younger age, female gender, larger effective regurgitant orifice, vena contracta width (VCW), and increased right atrial and right ventricular size were associated with cardiovascular events. Increased TV tethering distance and tethering area were also associated with cardiovascular events. In multivariate Cox regression analysis, larger VCW (hazard ratio, 1.72; 95% confidence interval, 1.15-2.57, P < 0.01) was an independent predictor of cardiovascular events. Compared with patients with VCW ≤ 7 mm, those with VCW > 7 mm had poorer long-term outcomes (adjusted hazard ratio, 19.9; P < .01). Increased VCW was also an independent predictor of cardiovascular death and TV surgery (hazard ratio, 1.2; 95% confidence interval, 1.00-1.45; P= .04). In severe isolated TR, VCW is a powerful independent predictor of adverse outcomes. Adverse outcomes were considerable for VCW > 7 mm, which suggests that quantification of TR by Doppler echocardiography is crucial for estimating prognosis. TV surgery might be considered for patients with severe isolated TR with VCW > 7 mm.

Incidence of Severe Isolated Tricuspid Regurgitation (TR) Mimicking the Signs of Constrictive Pericarditis

Incidence of Severe Isolated Tricuspid Regurgitation (TR) Mimicking the Signs of Constrictive Pericarditis