Transcatheter Repair for Patients with Tricuspid Regurgitation

“The initial report from the TRILUMINATE Pivotal trial was disappointing in that the combined endpoint showed a benefit from T-TEER but only because of quality-of-life parameters, not the hard endpoints of mortality and heart failure hospitalizations. However, making patients feel better also is a worthy goal of any treatment.”

“TRILUMINATE Pivotal was the first randomized study to demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of T-TEER on top of optimal medical therapy compared with medical therapy alone in a highly selected patient population with isolated TR. Even if the trial met its primary composite endpoint, no significant differences were found between groups in terms of 1-year mortality and heart failure hospitalization, although T-TEER was associated with a significant enhancement in quality of life.”

“Patients with severe secondary TR often have reduced quality of life and a poor prognosis, with many ineligible for surgery due to the associated risks. In common with others, we were interested in exploring T-TEER as a new treatment option and we conducted the investigator-led Tri.fr trial to test this approach on top of optimal medical therapy. The benefits of T-TEER plus strict medical therapy and management in terms of reducing the impact of TR on patients' daily lives are highly encouraging.”