Predictors for the development of severe tricuspid regurgitation with anatomically normal valve in patients with atrial fibrillation

Background and Aims: Atrial fibrillation (AF) may be a risk factor for severe functional tricuspid valve regurgitation (FTR). We aimed to determine the predictors of severe FTR in patients with AF. Methods and Results: From our echocardiographic laboratory database, we searched for and reviewed the medical records of consecutive patients with severe FTR and AF seen at Mayo Clinic in Arizona from 2002 through 2009. Our search identified 42 patients who met all inclusion criteria. These patients (cases) with severe FTR and AF were compared with 38 patients (controls) with AF who had no greater than mild tricuspid regurgitation. Case patients with severe FTR were older than controls (mean, 81 years vs. 76 years; P < 0.001) and more frequently had chronic AF (69% vs 26%; P < 0.001). Mean right atrial volume (86 mL/m² vs 46 mL/m²; P < 0.001), right ventricular volume (42 mL ± 33 mL vs 22 mL ±8 mL; P < 0.001) and tricuspid annular diameter (3.6 cm vs 3.0 cm; P < 0.001) were larger in cases than in controls. Patients with severe FTR also had a higher prevalence of right‐sided heart failure (69% vs 16%; P < 0.001). After adjusting for age and gender, right atrial and right ventricular volumes were independent predictors for the development of severe FTR in patients with AF (odds ratio, 1.7 [95% CI, 1.3–2.8] for every 10 mL/m² increase in right atrial volume; P = 0.0002 and odds ratio, 3.1 [95% CI, 1.5–8.9] for every 10 mL increase in right ventricular volume; P = 0.0002). Conclusions: Severe FTR occurs in older patients with chronic AF as a result of marked right atrial and right ventricular dilatation; and enlargement of the tricuspid annulus in the absence of pulmonary hypertension. More importantly, severe FTR leads to increased prevalence of right‐sided heart failure underscoring the nonbenign nature of chronic AF. (Echocardiography 2012;29:140‐146)     

左心瓣膜术后心房颤动与三尖瓣反流的关系

目的:研究左心瓣膜术后三尖瓣反流与术后心房颤动(房颤)的关系。方法:随访2002年3月至2008年11月接受主动脉瓣置换术或二尖瓣置换术,且未行三尖瓣成形术或三尖瓣置换术的患者374例,其中男性151例,女性223例,年龄23～79岁,平均(52±11)岁。所有患者均经过术前和术后彩色多普勒超声心动检查及心电图检查。单因素分析组间使用χ2检验。危险因素采用Logistic回归模型分析。结果:左心瓣膜术后房颤是术后发生三尖瓣反流的独立危险因素。Logistic多因素分析结果为:术后房颤、女性及术后左心房扩大,是术后三尖瓣反流的独立危险因素;术时年龄、术后左心室大小、术后右心室大小及术后射血分数这4项不是三尖瓣反流的危险因素。结论:左心瓣膜术后房颤是术后发生三尖瓣反流的独立危险因素。对于术后房颤应该引起重视,积极治疗。     

Isolated rheumatic severe tricuspid regurgitation

Severe isolated tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is very rare, with most cases of TR being functional and secondary to pulmonary hypertension from left heart pathologies. We report an unusual case of a young Nigerian male, who presented to us with dyspnea, repeated hospital admissions for heart failure, and a childhood history of rheumatic fever. Echocardiogram showed massively dilated right atrium and ventricle, noncoaptation of thickened tricuspid valve with torrential free tricuspid regurgitation. Other valves were normal. Cardiac MRI showed normal right ventricular function and viability. Patient underwent tricuspid valve replacement with 35‐mm St. Jude valve.     

非瓣膜性心房颤动合并重度三尖瓣反流的危险因素分析

目的:探讨非瓣膜性心房颤动(NVAF)合并重度三尖瓣反流(TR)患者的临床特征及危险因素。方法:连续入选2016年1月至2019年12月就诊于我院的290例合并TR的NVAF患者,87例NVAF合并重度TR患者为重度TR组,男性35例,平均年龄(73.5±9.0)岁;203例NVAF合并轻-中度TR患者作为对照组,男性114例,平均年龄(66.2±10.9)岁。比较两组的临床特征,采用Logistics回归分析评估重度TR的危险因素。结果:290例NVAF患者中,30.0%合并重度TR,41.0%合并中度TR,29.0%合并轻度TR。与对照组相比,重度TR组年龄大[(73.5±9.0)岁vs(.66.2±10.9)岁]、心房颤动病程长[4.5(2.0,10.0)年vs.3.0(2.0,7.0)年]、心功能差、持续性心房颤动(96.6%vs.73.4%)及女性(59.8%vs.43.8%)比例高,同时心房扩大、肺动脉压升高及二尖瓣反流更明显(P均<0.05)。Logistics多因素回归分析显示,重度TR与年龄(OR=1.060,95%CI:1.020~1.102)、女性(OR=4.727,95%CI:1.977~11.306)、持续性心房颤动(OR=6.873,95%CI:1.419~33.297)、右心房左右径(OR=1.202,95%CI:1.117~1.293)相关(P均<0.05)。右心房左右径≥45.5 mm可预测重度TR,诊断敏感度为0.712,特异度为0.697;ROC曲线下面积为0.763(95%CI:0.696~0.831,P<0.001)。结论:NVAF合并重度TR的危险因素包括老年、女性、持续性心房颤动、右心房左右径扩大。     

Intermediate term hemodynamic effects of single inferior vena cava valve implant for the treatment of severe tricuspid regurgitation

Severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR) remains a vastly undertreated disease, with sustained elevation of right atrial (RA) pressure directly resulting in chronic end‐organ damage. Recently, bi‐caval valve implantation has been shown to improve symptoms in patients with symptomatic TR who are at high risk for surgery. We present the first report of intermediate term hemodynamic effects of single inferior vena cava (IVC) valve implantation (CAVI) for treatment of severe TR. We performed CAVI on a 66‐year‐old female with severe TR, who suffered from repeat hospitalizations for treatment refractory NYHA class III–IV heart failure symptoms and had prohibitive operative risk. Pre‐implantation right heart catheterization (RHC) revealed a mean RA pressure of 12 mm Hg, an IVC mean pressure of 13 mm Hg, with V‐waves to 16 and 18 mm Hg in the RA and IVC respectively, and a cardiac output (CO) of 3.5 liters per minute (LPM). Postprocedure, mean IVC and RA pressures decreased to 11 and 10 mm Hg, respectively, with CO increasing to 5.1 LPM. At one month, symptoms improved to NYHA class II. At 9 months, mean RA pressure was 5 mm Hg with V‐waves to 7 mm Hg and an improvement in CO to 6.3 LPM. CAVI appears to result in similar decreases in RA pressure at intermediate follow‐up as compared to bi‐caval valve implantation. The favorable hemodynamic effects were likely mediated by redirection of regurgitant blood flow away from the IVC thereby resulting in sustained reduction in right‐sided pressures as well as an increase in CO. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

心房颤动导管射频消融术逆转功能性三尖瓣反流的超声研究

目的 研究导管射频消融术对非瓣膜病性房颤患者中重度功能性三尖瓣反流的影响及逆转右心重构的作用.方法 采用前瞻性的研究方法,连续入选2010年12月至2012年6月632例非瓣膜病性房颤首次行导管射频消融手术的患者,于手术前（72 h内）进行二维超声心动检查,将伴有中重度功能性三尖瓣反流的患者作为研究对象（12例）,于手术后3个月及6个月复查二维超声心动图,对比分析手术前后超声心动图数据,从而评判导管射频消融术后维持窦性心律对功能性三尖瓣反流的影响及逆转右心重构的作用.结果 导管射频消融术后3个月和6个月右心房上下径[（54.13±6.06）mm比（49.72±5.96）mm,P=0.001;（54.13±6.06）mm比（48.37±5.53）mm,P=0.001]、右心房左右径[（39.29±6.38）mm比（35.09±3.15）mm,P=-0.023;（39.29±6.38）mm比（33.86±2.97）mm,P=0.014]、右心室基底部横径[（34.65±4.51）mm比（32.58±3.93）mm,P=0.033;（34.65±4.51）mm比（31.40±3.59）mm,P=0.043]、三尖瓣反流面积[（7.30±1.37）mm^2比（3.18±2.10）mm^2,P=0.001;（7.30±1.37）mm^2比（1.52±1.92）mm^2,P=0.001]均有所减少,差异有统计学意义.结论 导管射频消融术可以改善非瓣膜病性房颤患者功能性三尖瓣反流的程度,逆转右心重构,疗效确切.     

Preoperative and postoperative mitral valve prolapse and regurgitation in adult patients with secundum atrial septal defects

Background: Little attention is given to development of mitral regurgitation (MR) in adults with atrial septal defect (ASD). The aim of the study was to determine the associated factors of MR in ASD adults before surgical repair and the fate of moderate to severe MR after surgery. Methods: We examined 71 consecutive patients with secundum ASD (47 ± 16 years) who underwent surgical repair. Clinical and echocardiographic variables including size of left and right heart systems and severity of MR and tricuspid regurgitation (TR) were investigated before and early after surgery. Results: Before ASD closure, 14 patients (20%) had moderate to severe MR and 25 patients (35%) showed mitral valve (MV) prolapse. The ASD patients with moderate to severe MR showed worse cardiovascular symptoms, increased occurrence of atrial fibrillation and MV prolapse, and greater left ventricular (LV) end‐diastolic volume, left atrial area, and TR severity than those with none to mild MR (all P < 0.05). Among preoperative variables, TR severity, left atrial area, LV end‐diastolic volume, and MV prolapse were associated with preoperative MR severity in all the patients (all P < 0.03). Isolated ASD closure (n=46) decreased MV prolapse (P=0.008). Preoperative moderate to severe MR decreased after ASD closure with and without MV surgery (n=9 and 5, respectively; both P < 0.05). Conclusions: Preoperative MR severity was associated with TR severity, dilated left heart chambers, and MV prolapse. MR decreased after ASD closure with and even without MV surgery.     

右心室电极相关的三尖瓣反流

右心室(RV)电极相关的三尖瓣反流(TR)是心血管植入式电子装置(CIED)术后并发症之一,其发生机制主要为电极导线对三尖瓣的机械作用和右心室起搏改变了心脏的收缩顺序。电极种类及数量、植入时间、起搏位置及心房颤动等是其危险因素。结合病史、体格检查及辅助检查可作出明确诊断,治疗包括药物治疗、电极复位、拔出及外科手术。本文对近年关于右心室电极相关三尖瓣反流的相关研究作一综述。     

Tricuspid regurgitation: Clinical and angiographic assessment

Because previous attempts to diagnose and quantitate tricuspid regurgitation (TR) by angiography have been unreliable, 60 patients with mitral or combined mitral and aortic valve disease had right ventriculography using a special preshaped catheter. A clinical diagnosis of TR was confirmed in 45% of the patients with moderate and severe TR. A pansystolic murmur increasing in intensity with inspiration, a pulsatile liver, and a prominent CV wave in the jugular veins when present together were specific for severe TR but were seen in only 30% of the patients with severe TR (3+ or 4+). Ventricularization of the right atrial pressure contour was specific for severe TR but was seen in only 40% of the patients with severe TR. A normal right atrial mean pressure (RAP) did not exclude TR, but a rise in RAP or an unchanged RAP with deep inspiration was seen in all patients with TR. Similar findings were observed in two patients with severe pulmonary hypertension who had no TR. There was no relation between the magnitude of this rise in RAP, the degree of pulmonary hypertension, and the severity of TR. The use of a special preshaped catheter tends to avoid the induction of premature beats, and right ventriculograms with a preshaped catheter may be useful in diagnosing TR.     

三尖瓣关闭不全患者右心房心肌AT-1、AT-2及基质金属蛋白酶的表达

目的检测慢性三尖瓣关闭不全(tricuspid incompetence,TR)患者右心房心肌组织中血管紧张素受体(angiotensin receptor,AT)-1、AT-2及基质金属蛋白酶(matrix metalloproteinase,MMP)1、MMP2、MMP9的表达,探讨TR患者右心房重构的分子生物学特征。方法选择左心瓣膜病变合并TR患者60例,术前按照心脏超声心动图显示TR面积的大小将患者分为3组:A组为轻至中度TR组(1 cm210 cm2);C组为对照组(TR≤1 cm2)。取患者右心房心肌组织标本,置于液氮中保存,western-blot检测AT-1、AT-2和MMP1表达,酶谱法检测MMP2、MMP9活性。结果随着TR面积增加,肺动脉高压、三尖瓣瓣环收缩期内径及舒张期内径显著增大,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。与C组相比,A、B两组AT-1及MMP1表达明显增加,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论随着TR程度增加,AT-1、MMP1的表达发生了改变,提示其参与了TR患者右心房重构。     

Mechanistic insights into atrial functional mitral regurgitation: Far more complicated than just left atrial remodeling

Recent studies lend credibility to the notion that lone atrial fibrillation (AF) can cause functional mitral regurgitation (MR), commonly referred to as atrial functional MR (AF‐MR). The conventional view holds that left atrial enlargement associated with AF causes annular dilatation which gradually moves the mitral valve leaflets apart resulting in inadequate coaptation and regurgitation. Recent findings, however, suggest that AF‐MR is not solely related to left atrial remodeling, but that important structural and functional abnormalities of the left ventricle also play a role in its pathogenesis.     

Quantification of tricuspid regurgitation by live three-dimensional transthoracic echocardiographic measurements of vena contracta area

We evaluated tricuspid regurgitation (TR) by multiple echocardiographic techniques in 93 consecutive patients who underwent standard two-dimensional (2D) and live three-dimensional (3D) transthoracic echocardiography (TTE). TR vena contracta (VC) area was obtained by 3D TTE by systematic and sequential cropping of the acquired 3D TTE dataset. Assessment of VC area by 3D TTE was compared to 2D TTE measurements of the ratio of TR regurgitant jet area to right atrial area (RJA/RAA), RJA alone, VC width, and calculated VC area. VC area from 3D TTE closely correlated with RJA/RAA and RJA alone as determined from 2D TTE measurements. Live 3D TTE color Doppler measurements of VC area can be used for quantitative assessment of TR and offer incremental value for quantification of particularly severe regurgitant lesions.     

Exacerbation of mitral regurgitation after tricuspid valve replacement for isolated tricuspid regurgitation

A 74-year-old woman, with a history of aortic valve replacement and open mitral commissurotomy due to rheumatic aortic and mitral stenosis, presented with dyspnea. She developed severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR), requiring tricuspid valve replacement (TVR). Despite an uneventful postoperative course, she was readmitted for dyspnea 2 months later. Trans-thoracic echocardiogram revealed severe mitral regurgitation (MR), despite mild MR at the time of TVR, which has not been previously reported. The main MR mechanism was increased left ventricular preload due to improved TR. Increased diuresis has controlled her congestive heart failure, but her MR remained moderate.     

心脏瓣膜手术同期行射频消融术后三尖瓣中、重度反流发生率的研究

目的研究心脏瓣膜手术同期行射频消融术治疗永久性心房纤颤术后三尖瓣中、重度反流的发生情况。方法 758例瓣膜病合并房颤患者,其中行瓣膜手术＋房颤射频消融374例（观察组）,仅行瓣膜手术384例（对照组）。术后随访6~54个月,对比分析两组病例术后三尖瓣中、重度反流的随访数据。结果观察组术后三尖瓣中、重度反流的发生率低于对照组。结论心脏瓣膜置换术同期行射频消融术治疗永久性心房纤颤的远期疗效确切,可降低三尖瓣中、重度反流的发生率,提高患者的心功能和远期生存率。     

Unusual mechanism of tricuspid regurgitation in ventricular septal defect

A 37-year-old woman was diagnosed to have a small ventricular septal defect (VSD) with high velocity tricuspid regurgitation (TR) that was attributed to atrio-VSD (Gerbode). Cardiac MR revealed a small subaortic VSD in the membranous portion of the interventricular septum. The atrioventricular portion was intact. Cardiac MR clearly showed flow jet through the VSD, impinging on the anterior tricuspid leaflet during systole, and bouncing back into the right atrium as TR. This ricochet mechanism of TR in VSD may be misinterpreted as Gerbode defect or as evidence of pulmonary hypertension.     

应用自体心包片延伸三尖瓣前叶结合人工瓣环成形术治疗重度三尖瓣关闭不全

目的:探索应用自体心包片延伸三尖瓣前叶治疗重度三尖瓣关闭不全的手术方法,并评价其临床效果。方法:自2009年1月至2012年5月,对31例重度三尖瓣关闭不全患者,采用自体心包片延伸三尖瓣前叶手术结合人工瓣环成形术进行治疗。并通过术前、术后心脏超声测量Tei指数及右心房变化,反映三尖瓣手术结果,评价手术效果。结果:手术患者均顺利出院,无手术死亡,患者手术后心脏超声提示三尖瓣轻度关闭不全4例,微量反流5例,无反流22例,均顺利出院。随访4～40个月,31例患者心功能恢复良好,Ⅰ～Ⅱ级,Tei指数明显下降,右心功能改善。三尖瓣关闭不全除1例有早期的轻度关闭不全变成轻-中度关闭不全外,其余没有变化。结论:自体心包片延伸三尖瓣前叶结合人工瓣环成形术,是一种治疗重度三尖瓣关闭不全的较为理想的手术方式,在短期内基本消除了残余反流/复发反流。长期随访将证明其消除残余反流/复发反流的疗效。     

Swan-Ganz catheter-induced tricuspid regurgitation during pneumoperitoneum for laparoscopic cholecystectomy

The occurrence of Swan-Ganz (S-G) catheter-induced tricuspid regurgitation (TR) was investigated using transesophageal echocardiography in four patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy with 12-mmHg pneumoperitoneum. Before pneumoperitoneum, TR was not detected in any of the four patients, despite the presence of an inserted S-G catheter; however, it was detected after completion of 12-mmHg pneumoperitoneum in one of the four patients. This TR was diminished after depneumoperitoneum and the employment of a retraction method by which the intra-abdominal pressure became equal to the atmospheric pressure. This TR was not recognized after the removal of the S-G catheter during 12-mmHg pneumoperitoneum in the same patient. There is a possibility that the S-G catheter induces TR during 12-mmHg pneumoperitioneum.     

Reversible severe tricuspid regurgitation associated with Graves’ disease: A case report

Rationale:Graves’ disease is the most common cause of thyrotoxicosis. Cardiovascular signs and symptoms are frequent in patients with thyrotoxicosis and right heart failure with severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is a rare manifestation of hyperthyroidism.Patient concerns:A 41-year-old woman with a history of Graves’ disease presented to the emergency department with worsening generalized edema and dyspnea for a month.Diagnosis:The laboratory test results revealed suppressed thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), elevated levels of free thyroxine and anti-TSH receptor antibody, and negative anti-thyroid peroxidase and anti-thyroglobulin antibodies. Transthoracic echocardiography showed severe TR associated with incomplete coaptation of tricuspid valve due to dilated right ventricle (RV), moderate resting pulmonary hypertension, and preserved biventricular systolic function.Interventions and outcomes:After 6 months of antithyroid treatment, her thyroid function was restored euthyroid state and she was fully recovered from right heart failure. Follow-up echocardiography showed complete disappearance of severe TR and pulmonary hypertension and normalization of RV dimension.Lessons:Severe TR can be rarely associated with thyrotoxicosis, but this is reversible and can be completely recovered with normalization of thyroid function.     

Impact of concomitant tricuspid regurgitation on outcome after edge-to-edge mitral valve repair

Aims

To evaluate the impact of tricuspid regurgitation (TR) on echocardiographic and functional outcome after mitral valve transcatheter edge-to-edge-repair (M-TEER).

Methods and Results

A total of 740 patients underwent M-TEER at our center from 2010 to 2021. Patients were analyzed according to severity of concomitant TR at the time of M-TEER procedure: low-grade TR (grade ≤I [trace–mild], 279 patients [37.7%]), moderate TR (grade II, 170 patients [23.0%]) and high-grade TR (grade III-V [severe–torrential], 291 patients [39.3%]). Patients with moderate to high-grade TR had higher morbidity. Procedural success of M-TEER was achieved similarly in all groups (98.2% vs. 97.6% vs. 95.9%, p = 0.22). TR severity decreased rapidly and consistently after M-TEER to only 48.0% of high-grade TR patients after 3 months (p < 0.001) and to 46.8% after 12 months (p = 0.99). High-grade TR patients had significantly higher mortality (21.5% vs. 18.2% vs. 11.1%, p = 0.003) up to 12 months after M-TEER. However, high-grade TR did not independently predict mortality (HR 1.302, 95% CI 0.937–1.810; p = 0.116). Echocardiographic and functional outcome was similar in both secondary and primary MR patients.

Conclusions

High-grade concomitant TR did not independently predict adverse outcome following M-TEER. A wait-and-observe approach for these patients is reasonable.     

Impact of severe tricuspid regurgitation on accuracy of systolic pulmonary arterial pressure measured by Doppler echocardiography: Analysis in an unselected patient population

Pulmonary arterial pressure is an important index in cardiovascular disorders, especially for pulmonary hypertension (PH). Doppler echocardiography (DE) is widely used as a noninvasive method to assess pulmonary arterial pressure. However, recent studies have found several hemodynamic factors that affect its accuracy in estimating systolic pulmonary arterial pressure (sPAP). But the effect of tricuspid regurgitation (TR) has not been investigated. Therefore, our study is aimed to determine whether the severity of TR will affect the accuracy of sPAP measured by DE in an unselected patient population. We retrospectively studied 177 patients who underwent DE and right heart catheterization (RHC) examinations. Patients were categorized into 3 groups according to the severity of TR (mild, moderate, and severe). The discrepancy in sPAP measured by DE and RHC was calculated and compared in each group. Determinants of discordant results between two methods were also evaluated. Age, gender, interval between DE and RHC, sequence of DE and RHC were similar among groups (all P>.05). Differences in sPAP, RAP, and tricuspid regurgitation pressure gradient (TR‐PG) were similar in group 1 and 2 (all P>.05), while all significantly higher in group 3 (all P<.05). The difference in sPAP between DE and RHC was affected independently by severe TR and severe PH (both P<.05). Severe TR and severe PH affect the accuracy of sPAP measured by DE. Modification of echocardiographic sPAP measurements by taking into consideration of these factors may lead to reduced systemic errors.