Transcatheter repair of a quadricuspid tricuspid valve with severe regurgitation: a case report

BACKGROUND: Moderate-to-severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR) represents the most prevalent right heart disorder. If left untreated, it may progress to heart failure and elevate mortality risk. Although traditional open-heart surgery remains the gold standard for severe TR, a significant number of patients are considered ineligible due to advanced age, comorbidities, or a history of cardiac surgery. Transcatheter tricuspid valve intervention (TTVI) has emerged as a minimally invasive alternative, with initial studies indicating both safety and efficacy in high-risk populations. We report the case of an 82-year-old patient with a quadricuspid tricuspid valve and torrential TR (grade 5) who was deemed unsuitable for conventional cardiopulmonary bypass surgery. Via a minimally invasive transcatheter approach, two edge-to-edge clips were successfully implanted, achieving effective valve repair. The patient exhibited an favorable postoperative recovery. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of TR among elderly patients is increasing. For those who do not respond to conservative management and face high surgical risk, transcatheter intervention offers a promising therapeutic alternative to enhance clinical outcomes.