The safety of transesophageal echocardiography to guide transcatheter tricuspid valve edge‐to‐edge repair

Abstract Background Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is primarily used to guide transcatheter structural heart interventions, such as tricuspid transcatheter edge‐to‐edge repair (TEER). Although TEE has a good safety profile, it is still an invasive imaging technique that may be associated with complications, especially when performed during long transcatheter procedures or on frail patients. The aim of this study was to assess TEE‐related complications during tricuspid TEER. Methods This is a prospective study enrolling 53 patients who underwent tricuspid TEER for severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR). TEE‐related complications were assessed clinically and divided into major (life‐threatening, major bleeding requiring transfusions or surgery, organ perforation, and persistent dysphagia) and minor (perioral hypesthesia, < 24 h dysphagia/odynophagia, minor intraoral bleeding and hematemesis not requiring transfusion) Results The median age of the patient population was 79 years; 43.4% had severe, 39.6% massive, and 17.6% torrential TR. 62.3% of patients suffered from upper gastrointestinal disorders. Acute procedural success (APS) was achieved in 88.7% in a median device time of 36 min. A negative association was shown between APS and lead‐induced etiology ( r = ‐.284, p = .040), baseline TR grade ( r = ‐.410, p = .002), suboptimal TEE view ( r = ‐.349, p = .012), device time ( r = ‐.234, p = .043), and leaflet detachment ( r = ‐.496, p < .0001). We did not observe any clinical manifest major or minor TEE‐related complications during the hospitalization. Conclusions Our study reinforces the good safety profile and efficacy of TEE guidance during tricuspid TEER. Adequate preoperative management and intraprocedural precautions are mandatory in order to avoid serious complications. Furthermore, suboptimal intraprocedural TEE views are associated with lower TR reduction rates. Highlights Transesophageal echocardiography is a crucial and safe technique for guiding transcatheter structural heart interventions. A mix of mid/deep esophageal and trans gastric views, as well as real‐time 3D imaging is generally used to guide the procedure. Adequate preoperative management and intraprocedural precautions are mandatory in order to avoid serious problems. A shorter device time is associated with more rarely probe‐related complications. Suboptimal intraprocedural TEE views are associated with lower TR reduction rates.