Right Ventricular–Pulmonary Artery Coupling in Tricuspid Regurgitation

BACKGROUND: Right ventricular-pulmonary artery coupling (RVPAC) predicts outcomes after transcatheter tricuspid valve edge-to-edge repair (T-TEER), but its role in patient selection remains unclear. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic implications of RVPAC in a European registry of patients with tricuspid regurgitation undergoing either T-TEER or medical management. METHODS: Among 1,885 patients with tricuspid regurgitation (n = 585 medical, n = 1,300 T-TEER), 946 were propensity matched (1:1). RVPAC, assessed as the ratio of tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion to systolic pulmonary artery pressure was analyzed for its association with 1-year mortality. RESULTS: ]; P = 0.03) declined. Mortality was highest in the low RVPAC tertile, with no difference between treatment modalities (HR: 1.04; 95% CI: 0.68-1.61; P = 0.85). T-TEER was associated with better survival than medical management in the intermediate RVPAC tertile (HR: 0.54; 95% CI: 0.31-0.94; P = 0.03). This difference persisted but weakened in the high RVPAC tertile, with the overall most favorable outcomes (HR: 0.69; 95% CI: 0.35-1.36; P = 0.27). CONCLUSIONS: Poorer RVPAC reflects higher baseline risk and mortality, regardless of treatment. T-TEER is associated with better survival across a range of RVPAC values, including those less than previously suggested thresholds.