Left ventricular dimensions, cardiac output, and mitral regurgitation after transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement

Background Severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is common in the general population and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Interventional treatment of TR is performed with increasing frequency. Transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement (TTVR) is a novel approach that effectively eliminates TR. Purpose Investigating the impact of TTVR on right and left heart function, cardiac index (CI), and mitral regurgitation. Methods This study includes all patients who underwent TTVR in a single center. Follow-up assessments were conducted at baseline, post-intervention, and at 1, 3, and 6 months, including echocardiography and measurements of NT brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels. Results 29 patients were treated over approximately one year. The mean age was 78 years, 72% were female. Right ventricular function was visually reduced in echocardiography after the intervention. After one month, the right ventricular function recovered. NT-proBNP levels also increased directly after TTVR but dropped back to baseline after 3-6 months. Left ventricular end-diastolic volume increased significantly after the intervention, but end-systolic volume remained stable. Left ventricular ejection fraction remained stable, but stroke volume and CI increased. Mitral regurgitation increased slightly but not significantly. Conclusion TTVR enhances CI, potentially leading to left ventricular dilatation. This accompanies an increase in left ventricular stroke volume. Additionally, mitral regurgitation may worsen in some patientsFigure 1 Figure 2