Right Ventricular Longitudinal Strain Predicts Survival in Patients With Functional Tricuspid Regurgitation

Current trends and latest developments in echocardiographic assessment of right ventricular function: load dependency perspective

Right ventricle (RV) failure is a common complication of many cardiopulmonary diseases. Since it has a significant adverse impact on prognosis, precise determination of RV function is crucial to guide clinical management. However, accurate assessment of RV function remains challenging owing to the difficulties in acquiring its intricate pathophysiology and imaging its complex anatomical structure. In addition, there is historical attention focused exclusively on the left ventricle assessment, which has led to overshadowing and delayed development of RV evaluation. Echocardiography is the first-line and non-invasive bedside clinical tool for assessing RV function. Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), RV systolic tissue Doppler velocity of the tricuspid annulus (RV S'), and RV fractional area change (RV FAC) are conventional standard indices routinely used for RV function assessment, but accuracy has been subject to several limitations, such as load-dependency, angle-dependency, and localized regional assessment. Particularly, load dependency is a vexing issue, as the failing RV is always in a complex loading condition, which alters the values of echocardiographic parameters and confuses clinicians. Recently, novel echocardiographic methods for improved RV assessment have been developed. Specifically, "strain", "RV-pulmonary arterial (PA) coupling", and "RV myocardial work" are newly applied methods for RV function assessment, a few of which are designed to surmount the load dependency by taking into account the afterload on RV. In this narrative review, we summarize the latest data on these novel RV echocardiographic parameters and highlight their strengths and limitations. Since load independency is one of the primary advantages of these, we particularly emphasize this aspect.

Evolving Applications of Echocardiography in the Evaluation of Left Atrial and Right Ventricular Strain

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE) can assess myocardial motion in non-LV chambers-including assessment of left atrial (LA) and right ventricular (RV) strain. This review seeks to highlight the diagnostic, prognostic, and clinical significance of these parameters in heart failure, atrial fibrillation (AF), diastolic dysfunction, pulmonary hypertension (PH), tricuspid regurgitation, and heart transplant recipients.

RECENT FINDINGS

Impaired LA strain reflects worse LV diastolic function in individuals with and without HF, and this is associated with decreased exercise capacity. Initiating treatments targeting these functional aspects may enhance exercise capacity and potentially prevent heart failure (HF). Impaired LA strain also identifies patients with a high risk of AF, and this recognition may lead to preventive strategies. Impaired RV strain has significant clinical and prognostic implications across various clinical scenarios, including HF, PH, tricuspid regurgitation, or in heart transplant recipients. STE should not be limited to the assessment of deformation of the LV myocardium. The use of LA and RV strain is supported by a substantial evidence base, and these parameters should be used more widely.

Perioperative echocardiographic strain analysis: what anesthesiologists should know

PURPOSE

Echocardiographic strain analysis by speckle tracking allows assessment of myocardial deformation during the cardiac cycle. Its clinical applications have significantly expanded over the last two decades as a sensitive marker of myocardial dysfunction with important diagnostic and prognostic values. Strain analysis has the potential to become a routine part of the perioperative echocardiographic examination for most anesthesiologist-echocardiographers but its exact role in the perioperative setting is still being defined.

CLINICAL FEATURES

This clinical report reviews the principles underlying strain analysis and describes its main clinical uses pertinent to the field of anesthesiology and perioperative medicine. Strain for assessment of left and right ventricular function as well as atrial strain is described. We also discuss the potential role of strain to aid in perioperative risk stratification, surgical patient selection in cardiac surgery, and guidance of anesthetic monitor choice and clinical decision-making in the perioperative period.

CONCLUSION

Echocardiographic strain analysis is a powerful tool that allows seeing what conventional 2D imaging sometimes fails to reveal. It often provides pathophysiologic insight into various cardiac diseases at an early stage. Strain analysis is readily feasible and reproducible thanks to the use of highly automated software platforms. This technique shows promising potential to become a valuable tool in the arsenal of the anesthesiologist-echocardiographer and aid in perioperative risk-stratification and clinical decision-making.

Prognostic Implication of Right Ventricular Free Wall Longitudinal Strain and Right Atrial Pressure Estimated By Echocardiography in Patients With Severe Functional Tricuspid Regurgitation

BACKGROUND

The interaction between right ventricular (RV) function and pulmonary hypertension is crucial for prognosis of patients with severe functional tricuspid regurgitation. RV free wall longitudinal strain (RVFWLS) has been reported to detect RV systolic dysfunction earlier than other conventional parameters. Although pulmonary artery systolic pressure measured by Doppler echocardiography is often underestimated in severe functional tricuspid regurgitation, right atrial pressure (RAP) estimated by echocardiography may be viewed as a prognostic factor. Impact of RAP and RVFWLS on outcome in patients with severe functional tricuspid regurgitation remains unclear. The aim of the present study was to investigate prognostic implication of RAP, RVFWLS, and their combination in this population.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We retrospectively examined 377 patients with severe functional tricuspid regurgitation. RAP, pulmonary artery systolic pressure, RV fractional area change, and RVFWLS were analyzed. RAP of 15 mm Hg was classified as elevated RAP. All-cause death at 2-year follow-up was defined as the primary end point. RVFWLS provided better prognostic information than RV fractional area change by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. In the multivariable Cox regression analysis, elevated RAP and RVFWLS of ≤18% were independent predictors of clinical outcome. Patients with RVFWLS of ≤18% had higher risk of all-cause death than those without by Kaplan-Meier curve analysis. Furthermore, when patients were stratified into 4 groups by RAP and RVFWLS, the group with elevated RAP and RVFWLS of ≤18% had the worst outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

Elevated RAP and RVFWLS of ≤18% were independent predictors of all-cause death. The combination of elevated RAP and RVFWLS effectively stratified the all-cause death.

New Approaches to Assessment and Management of Tricuspid Regurgitation Before Intervention

Severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is a progressive condition associated with substantial morbidity, poor quality of life, and increased mortality. Patients with TR commonly have coexisting conditions including congestive heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, chronic lung disease, atrial fibrillation, and cardiovascular implantable electronic devices, which can increase the complexity of medical and surgical TR management. As such, the optimal timing of referral for isolated tricuspid valve (TV) intervention is undefined, and TV surgery has been associated with elevated risk of morbidity and mortality. More recently, an unprecedented growth in TR treatment options, namely the development of a wide range of transcatheter TV interventions (TTVI) is stimulating increased interest and referral for TV intervention across the entire medical community. However, there are no stepwise algorithms for the optimal management of symptomatic severe TR before TTVI. This article reviews the contemporary assessment and management of TR with addition of a medical framework to optimize TR before referral for TTVI.

Echocardiographic features of right ventricle in septic patients with elevated central venous pressure

BACKGROUND

Elevated central venous pressure (CVP) is deemed as a sign of right ventricular (RV) dysfunction. We aimed to characterize the echocardiographic features of RV in septic patients with elevated CVP, and quantify associations between RV function parameters and 30-day mortality.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed a cohort of septic patients with CVP ≥ 8 mmHg in a tertiary hospital intensive care unit. General characteristics and echocardiographic parameters including tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) as well as prognostic data were collected. Associations between RV function parameters and 30-day mortality were assessed using Cox regression models.

RESULTS

Echocardiography was performed in 244 septic patients with CVP ≥ 8 mmHg. Echocardiographic findings revealed that various types of abnormal RV function can occur individually or collectively. Prevalence of RV systolic dysfunction was 46%, prevalence of RV enlargement was 34%, and prevalence of PVR increase was 14%. In addition, we collected haemodynamic consequences and found that prevalence of systemic venous congestion was 16%, prevalence of RV-pulmonary artery decoupling was 34%, and prevalence of low cardiac index (CI) was 23%. The 30-day mortality of the enrolled population was 24.2%. In a Cox regression analysis, TAPSE (HR:0.542, 95% CI:0.302-0.972, p = 0.040) and PVR (HR:1.384, 95% CI:1.007-1.903, p = 0.045) were independently associated with 30-day mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Echocardiographic findings demonstrated a high prevalence of RV-related abnormalities (RV enlargement, RV systolic dysfunction and PVR increase) in septic patients with elevated CVP. Among those echocardiographic parameters, TAPSE and PVR were independently associated with 30-day mortality in these patients.

Right ventricular free wall and four-chamber longitudinal strain in relation to incident heart failure in the general population

AIMS

Right ventricular free wall (RVFWLS) and four-chamber longitudinal strain (RV4CLS) are associated with adverse events in various patient populations including patients with heart failure (HF). We sought to investigate the prognostic value of RVFWLS and RV4CLS for the development of incident HF in participants from the general population.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Participants from the 5th Copenhagen City Heart Study (2011-2015) without known chronic ischaemic heart disease or HF at baseline were included. RVFWLS and RV4CLS were obtained using two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography from the right ventricular (RV)-focused apical four-chamber view. The primary endpoint was incident HF. Among 2740 participants (mean age 54 ± 17 years, 42% male), 43 (1.6%) developed HF during a median follow-up of 5.5 years (IQR 4.5-6.3). Both RVFWLS and RV4CLS were associated with an increased risk of incident HF during follow-up independent of age, sex, hypertension, diabetes, body mass index and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), (HR 1.06, 95%CI 1.00-1.11, P = 0.034, per 1% absolute decrease and HR 1.14, 95%CI 1.05-1.23, P = 0.001, per 1% absolute decrease, respectively). Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) modified the association between RV4CLS and incident HF (P for interaction = 0.016) such that RV4CLS was only of prognostic importance among those with LVEF < 55% (HR 1.21, 95%CI 1.11-1.33, P < 0.001 vs. HR 0.94, 95%CI 0.80-1.10, P = 0.43 in patients with LVEF ≥ 55%).

CONCLUSION

In participants from the general population, both RVFWLS and RV4CLS were associated with a greater risk of incident HF independent of important baseline characteristics and TAPSE, and LVEF modified the relationship between RV4CLS and incident HF.

Speckle tracking echocardiography for diagnosis of right ventricular failure in children with totally corrected tetralogy of Fallot in Sulaimani, Iraq

Objectives

The study was aimed at using speckle tracking echocardiography as a novel technique to diagnose right ventricular failure (RVF) in children with total correction of tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) through surgery.

Methods

A quasi-experimental study was performed at the Children's Heart Hospital of Sulaimani for 9 months. A total of 150 children with completely repaired TOF were enrolled to investigate RVF. Conventional echocardiographic data were recorded, including right ventricular (RV) ejection fraction (EF), tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), myocardial performance index (MPI), and RV end-systolic and diastolic volume (RVESV and RVEDV). Additionally, speckle tracking was performed for the regional and longitudinal strain and strain rate in four-chamber apical view. RVF diagnosis was determined on the basis of electrocardiography measurement of P-wave dispersion, T-wave dispersion, and QRS duration.

Results

Children with repaired TOF who were diagnosed with RVF through conventional echocardiography exhibited abnormalities with respect to children with normal RV function, including a TAPSE of 1.3 ± 0.11 cm, RVEF of 35.5 ± 6.72, RVESV of 69.8 ± 15.13 ml, RVEDV of 110.1 ± 14.13 ml, MPI of 0.60 ± 0.12, and Pmax of 52.4 ± 14.08. The use of speckle tracking in RVF diagnosis revealed a relatively lower longitudinal strain and strain rate (-12.1 ± 2.3 and -0.9 ± 0.3, respectively) in the children with RVF. Moreover, longitudinal right ventricular strain was positively correlated with TAPSE (r = 0.656) and EF (r = 0.675), and negatively correlated with RVEDV (r = -0.684), RVESV (r = -0.718), MPI (r = -0.735), and Pmax (r = -0.767).

Conclusions

The application of speckle tracking with the longitudinal RV strain and strain rate to estimate RV function in children with repaired TOF is a new advanced method that, compared with conventional echo, significantly improves the diagnosis of regional myocardial deformations and cardiac muscle motion velocity.

Clinical Value of a Novel Three-Dimensional Echocardiography-Derived Index of Right Ventricle-Pulmonary Artery Coupling in Tricuspid Regurgitation

BACKGROUND

Echocardiographic surrogates of right ventricle-to-pulmonary artery (RV-PA) coupling have been reported to be associated with outcomes in patients with secondary tricuspid regurgitation (STR). However, pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) is difficult to estimate using echocardiography in patients with severe STR. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the predictive power of a surrogate of RV-PA coupling obtained using right ventricular (RV) volumes measured on three-dimensional echocardiography.

METHODS

One hundred eight patients (mean age, 73 ± 13 years; 61% women) with moderate or severe STR were included.

RESULTS

At a median follow-up of 24 months (interquartile range, 2-48 months), 72 patients (40%) had reached the composite end point of death of any cause and heart failure hospitalization. RV-PA coupling was computed as the ratio between RV forward stroke volume (SV) (i.e., RV SV - regurgitant volume) and RV end-systolic volume (ESV). RV forward SV/ESV was significantly more related to the composite end point than RV ejection fraction (area under the curve, 0.85 [95% CI, 0.78-0.93] vs 0.73 [95% CI, 0.64-0.83], respectively; P = .03). A value of 0.40 was found to best correlate with outcome. On multivariate Cox regression, RV forward SV/ESV, tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion/PASP, and RV free wall longitudinal strain/PASP were all independently associated with the occurrence of the composite end point when added to a group of parameters including STR severity (severe vs moderate), atrial fibrillation, pulmonary arterial hypertension, right atrial volume, RV end-diastolic volume, and RV free wall longitudinal strain. RV forward SV/ESV < 0.40 (HR, 3.36; 95% CI, 1.49-7.56; P < .01) carried higher related risk than RV free wall longitudinal strain/PASP < -0.42%/mm Hg (HR, 3.1; 95% CI, 1.26-7.84; P = .01) and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion/PASP < 0.36 mm/mm Hg (HR, 2.69; 95% CI, 1.29-5.58; P = .01). RV ejection fraction did not correlate independently with prognosis when added to the same group of variables.

CONCLUSIONS

RV forward SV/ESV is associated with the risk for death and heart failure hospitalization in patients with STR.

Unmet Needs in the Assessment of Right Ventricular Function for Severe Tricuspid Regurgitation

Tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is a highly prevalent valvular heart disease that has been long overlooked, but lately its independent association with adverse cardiovascular outcomes was recognized. The time point to intervene and repair the tricuspid valve is defined by the right ventricular (RV) dilation and dysfunction that comes up at a later stage. While guidelines favor tricuspid valve repair before severe RV dysfunction ensues, the definition of RV dysfunction in a universal manner remains vague. As a result, the candidates for transcatheter or surgical TR procedures are often referred late, when advanced RV dysfunction is established, and any derived procedural survival benefit is attenuated. Thus, it is of paramount importance to establish a universal means of RV function assessment in patients with TR. Conventional echocardiographic indices of RV function routinely applied have fundamental flaws that limit the precise characterization of RV performance. More recently, novel echocardiographic indices such as strain via speckle-tracking have emerged, demonstrating promising results in the identification of early RV damage. Additionally, evidence of the role of alternative imaging modalities such as cardiac computed tomography and cardiac magnetic resonance, for RV functional assessment in TR, has recently arisen. This review provides a systematic appraisal of traditional and novel multimodality indices of RV function in severe TR and aims to refine RV function assessment, designate future directions, and ultimately, to improve the outcome of patients suffering from severe TR.

Ratio between right ventricular longitudinal strain and pulmonary arterial systolic pressure: A novel prognostic parameter in patients with severe tricuspid regurgitation

BACKGROUND

In terms of pathophysiology, tricuspid regurgitation (TR), right ventricular function and pulmonary artery pressure are linked to each other. Our aim was to analyze whether the echocardiography-derived right ventricular free wall longitudinal strain/pulmonary artery systolic pressures (RVFWLS/PASP) ratio can improve risk stratification in patients with severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR).

METHODS

In this single-center retrospective study, 250 consecutive patients with severe TR were enrolled from December 2015 to December 2018. Baseline clinical and echocardiographic parameters were collected. Echocardiography-derived TAPSE/PASP and RVFWLS/PASP were evaluated. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality.

RESULTS

Out of 250 consecutive patients, 171 meet inclusion criteria. Patients were predominantly female, with several cardiovascular risk factors and comorbidities. RVFWLS/PASP ≤0.34%/mmHg (AUC 0.68, p < 0.001, sensitivity 70%, specificity 67%) was associated with baseline clinical RV heart failure (p = 0.03). After univariate and multivariate analyses, RVFWLS/PASP, but not TAPSE/PASP, independently correlated with all-cause mortality (HR 0.004, p = 0.02). Patients with RVFWLS/PASP >0.26%/mmHg (AUC 0.74, p < 0.001, sensitivity 77%, specificity 52%) showed higher survival rates (p = 0.02). In addition at 24 months follow-up, the Kaplan-Meyer curves showed patients with RVFWLS >14% & RVFWLS/PASP >0.26%/mmHg had the best survival rate compared to patients without.

CONCLUSION

RVFWLS/PASP is independently associated with baseline RV heart failure and poor long-term prognosis in patients with severe TR.

Echocardiography Imaging of the Right Ventricle: Focus on Three-Dimensional Echocardiography

Right ventricular function strongly predicts cardiac death and adverse cardiac events in patients with cardiac diseases. However, the accurate right ventricular assessment by two-dimensional echocardiography is limited due to its complex anatomy, shape, and load dependence. Advances in cardiac imaging and three-dimensional echocardiography provided more reliable information on right ventricular volumes and function without geometrical assumptions. Furthermore, the pathophysiology of right ventricular dysfunction and tricuspid regurgitation is frequently connected. Three-dimensional echocardiography allows a more in-depth structural and functional evaluation of the tricuspid valve. Understanding the anatomy and pathophysiology of the right side of the heart may help in diagnosing and managing the disease by using reliable imaging tools. The present review describes the challenging echocardiographic assessment of the right ventricle and tricuspid valve apparatus in clinical practice with a focus on three-dimensional echocardiography.

Multimodality Imaging of Right Heart Function: JACC Scientific Statement

Right ventricular (RV) size and function assessed by multimodality imaging are associated with outcomes in a variety of cardiovascular diseases. Understanding RV anatomy and physiology is essential in appreciating the strengths and weaknesses of current imaging methods and gives these measurements greater context. The adaptation of the right ventricle to different types and severity of stress, particularly over time, is specific to the cardiovascular disease process. Multimodality imaging parameters, which determine outcomes, reflect the ability to image the initial and longitudinal RV response to stress. This paper will review the standard and novel imaging methods for assessing RV function and the impact of these parameters on outcomes in specific disease states.

Speckle tracking echocardiography in early disease stages: a therapy modifier?

Echocardiography has been included as a first-line tool in several international guidelines for the management of patients with various cardiac diseases. Beyond diagnosis, echocardiographic examination helps in characterizing the severity of the condition since the very first stages. In particular, the application of second-level techniques, speckle tracking echocardiography in particular, can also reveal a subclinical dysfunction, while the standard parameters are in the normality range. The present review describes the potentialities of advanced echocardiography in different settings, including arterial hypertension, atrial fibrillation, diastolic dysfunction, and oncological patients, thus opening up potential starting points for its application as a clinical routine changer.

Prognostic Impact of Right Ventricular Strain in Isolated Severe Tricuspid Regurgitation

BACKGROUND

Right ventricular (RV) systolic function is an established marker of outcomes in patients with severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR). Timely detection of RV dysfunction using conventional two-dimensional echocardiography is challenging. RV strain has emerged as an accurate and sensitive tool for the evaluation of RV function, with the capability to detect subclinical RV dysfunction. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of RV strain parameters in early stages of severe TR.

METHODS

Consecutive patients with at least severe TR (severe, massive, or torrential) and the absence of a formal indication for tricuspid valve intervention in secondary TR evaluated in the Heart Valve Clinic were prospectively included. RV systolic function was measured using conventional echocardiographic indices (RV fractional area change, tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion, and Doppler tissue imaging S wave [S']) and speckle-tracking echocardiography-derived automatic peak global longitudinal strain and free wall longitudinal strain (FWLS) using an automated two-dimensional strain analytic software. A combined end point of hospital admission due to heart failure or all-cause mortality was defined.

RESULTS

A total of 266 patients were enrolled in the study, and 151 were ultimately included. Strain parameters detected a higher percentage of abnormal RV values compared with conventional indices. During a median follow-up period of 26 months (interquartile range, 13-42 months), 35% of the patients reached the combined end point. Cumulative event-free survival was significantly worse in patients with impaired RV global longitudinal strain and RV FWLS. Conventional indices of RV systolic function were not associated with outcomes (P > .05 for all). On multivariate analysis, RV FWLS was independently associated with mortality and heart failure (adjusted hazard ratio for abnormal RV FWLS, 5.90; 95% CI, 3.17-10.99; P < .001).

CONCLUSION

In early stages of severe TR, RV FWLS is more frequently impaired compared with conventional indices of RV function. Among all parameters, RV FWLS is the strongest predictor of mortality and heart failure, independent of additional prognostic markers.

Key Echocardiographic Considerations for Tricuspid Valve Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair

Chronic tricuspid regurgitation (TR) results in progressive right ventricular (RV) volume overload, followed by right-sided chamber dilatation, RV systolic dysfunction, and eventual low-output cardiac failure. Severe TR is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality, and yet until recently, patients in the late stage of their disease course had limited treatment options. Cognizant of the high mortality rates associated with surgical intervention, tricuspid valve (TV) transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) has emerged as a promising solution for patients with severe TR. As has been learned from the transcatheter mitral valve TEER experience, detailed morphological and mechanistic assessment of the TV with transthoracic and transesophageal imaging is essential to optimal patient selection and procedural success. The current review will provide a comprehensive overview of TV anatomy, the updated mechanistic classification of TR, and key echocardiographic considerations in the evaluation, management, and follow-up of patients undergoing TV TEER.

Functional tricuspid regurgitation, related right heart remodeling, and available treatment options: good news for patients with heart failure?

Significant functional tricuspid regurgitation (FTR) represents a poor prognostic factor independent of right ventricular (RV) function. It is usually the consequence of left-sided cardiac diseases that induce RV dilatation and dysfunction, but it can also resulted from right atrial (RA) enlargement and consequent tricuspid annular dilatation. FTR is very frequent among patients with heart failure, particularly in those with reduced LVEF and concomitant functional mitral regurgitation. The development of three-dimensional echocardiography enabled detailed assessment of tricuspid valve anatomy, subvavlular apparatus, and RA and RV changes, as well as accurate evaluation of FTR etiology. Due to high in-hospital mortality risk in patients who were operatively treated for isolated FTR, it has been treated only medically for a long time. Percutaneous approach considers mainly transcatheter tricuspid valve repair (edge-to-edge and annuloplasty) and represents a very attractive option for the high-risk patients. Studies that investigated the effects of different devices showed excellent feasibility and safety, followed by significant reduction in FTR grade, improvement in functional capacity and NYHA class, quality of life, and reduction in hospitalization due to heart failure. Some investigations also reported a decreased mortality in FTR patients. Nevertheless, the results of these investigations should be interpreted with cautious due to the small number of participants and relatively short follow-up. The aim of this review was to summarize the existing data about the clinical importance of FTR and FTR-induced right heart remodeling and currently existing therapeutic approaches for treatment of FTR.

New developments in the understanding of right ventricular function in acute care

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Right ventricular dysfunction has an important impact on the perioperative course of cardiac surgery patients. Recent advances in the detection and monitoring of perioperative right ventricular dysfunction will be reviewed here.

RECENT FINDINGS

The incidence of right ventricular dysfunction in cardiac surgery has been associated with unfavorable outcomes. New evidence supports the use of a pulmonary artery catheter in cardiogenic shock. The possibility to directly measure right ventricular pressure by transducing the pacing port has expanded its use to track changes in right ventricular function and to detect right ventricular outflow tract obstruction. The potential role of myocardial deformation imaging has been raised to detect patients at risk of postoperative complications.

SUMMARY

Perioperative right ventricular function monitoring is based on echocardiographic and extra-cardiac flow evaluation. In addition to imaging modalities, hemodynamic evaluation using various types of pulmonary artery catheters can be achieved to track changes rapidly and quantitatively in right ventricular function perioperatively. These monitoring techniques can be applied during and after surgery to increase the detection rate of right ventricular dysfunction. All this to improve the treatment of patients presenting early signs of right ventricular dysfunction before systemic organ dysfunction ensue.

Progression of Chronic Kidney Disease and All-Cause Mortality in Patients with Tricuspid Regurgitation

Aim: The impact of chronic kidney disease (CKD) on patient-related outcomes in patients with tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is well known. However, the impact of the progression of CKD in patients with TR and potentially modifiable risk factors of progressing CKD is unknown. Methods: 444 consecutive adult patients with TR and CKD stage 1−4 admitted in an inpatient setting between January 2010 and December 2017 were included. During a median follow-up of two years, eGFR and survival status were collected. Independent risk factors for CKD progression and all-cause mortality were determined. Patient survival statuses were grouped according to different combinations of the presence or absence of CKD progression and the TR grade. Results: Progression of CKD (OR 2.38 (95% confidence interval 1.30−4.35), p = 0.005), the grade of TR (OR 2.38 (1.41−4.00), p = 0.001) and mitral regurgitation (OR 1.72 (1.20−2.46), p = 0.003) were independent risk factors for all-cause mortality. Haemoglobin at admission (OR 0.80 (0.65−0.99), p = 0.043) and the presence of type 2 diabetes (OR 1.67 (1.02−2.73), p = 0.042) were independent risk factors for CKD progression. The combination of the status of CKD progression and the TR grade showed a stepwise pattern for all-cause mortality (p < 0.001). Patients with CKD progression and TR grade 1 had comparable all-cause mortality with patients without CKD progression but with TR grade 2 or 3. Even in patients with TR grade 1, the risk for all-cause mortality doubled if CKD progression occurred (OR 2.49 (95% CI 1.38−4.47), p = 0.002). Conclusion: CKD progression appears to be a risk factor for all-cause mortality in patients with TR. Anaemia and diabetes are potential modifiers of CKD progression.

Clinical Outcomes Following Isolated Transcatheter Tricuspid Valve Repair: A Meta-Analysis and Meta-Regression Study

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to assess the pooled clinical and echocardiographic outcomes of different isolated transcatheter tricuspid valve repair (ITTVR) strategies for significant (moderate or greater) tricuspid regurgitation (TR).

BACKGROUND

Significant TR is a common valvular heart disease worldwide.

METHODS

Published research was systematically searched for studies evaluating the efficacy and safety of ITTVR for significant TR in adults. The primary outcomes were improvement in New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class and 6-minute walking distance and the presence of severe or greater TR at the last available follow-up of each individual study. Random-effect meta-analysis was performed comparing outcomes before and after ITTVR.

RESULTS

Fourteen studies with 771 patients were included. The mean age was 77 ± 8 years, and the mean European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation II score was 6.8% ± 5.4%. At a weighted mean follow-up of 212 days, 209 patients (35%) were in NYHA functional class III or IV compared with 586 patients (84%) at baseline (risk ratio: 0.23; 95% CI: 0.13-0.40; P < 0.001). Six-minute walking distance significantly improved from 237 ± 113 m to 294 ± 105 m (mean difference +50 m; 95% CI: +34 to +66 m; P < 0.001). One hundred forty-seven patients (24%) showed severe or greater TR after ITTVR compared with 616 (96%) at baseline (risk ratio: 0.29; 95% CI: 0.20-0.42; P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients undergoing ITTVR for significant TR experienced significant improvements in NYHA functional status and 6-minute walking distance and a significant reduction in TR severity at mid-term follow-up.

The Predictive Value of Right Ventricular Longitudinal Strain in Pulmonary Hypertension, Heart Failure, and Valvular Diseases

Right ventricular (RV) systolic function has an important role in the prediction of adverse outcomes, including mortality, in a wide range of cardiovascular (CV) conditions. Because of complex RV geometry and load dependency of the RV functional parameters, conventional echocardiographic parameters such as RV fractional area change (FAC) and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), have limited prognostic power in a large number of patients. RV longitudinal strain overcame the majority of these limitations, as it is angle-independent, less load-dependent, highly reproducible, and measure regional myocardial deformation. It has a high predictive value in patients with pulmonary hypertension, heart failure, congenital heart disease, ischemic heart disease, pulmonary embolism, cardiomyopathies, and valvular disease. It enables detection of subclinical RV damage even when conventional parameters of RV systolic function are in the normal range. Even though cardiac magnetic resonance-derived RV longitudinal strain showed excellent predictive value, echocardiography-derived RV strain remains the method of choice for evaluation of RV mechanics primarily due to high availability. Despite a constantly growing body of evidence that support RV longitudinal strain evaluation in the majority of CV patients, its assessment has not become the part of the routine echocardiographic examination in the majority of echocardiographic laboratories. The aim of this clinical review was to summarize the current data about the predictive value of RV longitudinal strain in patients with pulmonary hypertension, heart failure and valvular heart diseases.

Prognostic Value of Echocardiographic Right Ventricular Function Parameters in the Presence of Severe Tricuspid Regurgitation

Background: Presence of severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR) has a significant impact on assessment of right ventricular function (RVF) in transthoracic echocardiography (TTE). High trans-valvular pendulous volume leads to backward-unloading of the right ventricle. Consequently, established cut-offs for normal systolic performance may overestimate true systolic RVF. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed entailing all patients who underwent TTE at our institution between 1 January 2013 and 31 December 2016. Only patients with normal left ventricular systolic function and with no other valvular lesion were included. All recorded loops were re-read by one experienced examiner. Patients without severe TR (defined as vena contracta width ≥7 mm) were excluded. All-cause 2-year mortality was chosen as the end-point. The prognostic value of several RVF parameters was tested. Results: The final cohort consisted of 220 patients, 88/220 (40%) were male. Median age was 69 years (IQR 52–79), all-cause two-year mortality was 29%, median TAPSE was 19 mm (15–22) and median FAC was 42% (30–52). In multivariate analysis, TAPSE with the cutoff 17 mm and FAC with the cutoff 35% revealed non-significant hazard ratios (HR) of 0.75 (95%CI 0.396–1.421, p = 0.38) and 0.845 (95%CI 0.383–1.867, p = 0.68), respectively. TAPSE with the cutoff 19 mm and visual eyeballing significantly predicted survival with HRs of 0.512 (95%CI 0.296–0.886, p = 0.017) and 1.631 (95%CI 1.101–2.416, p = 0.015), respectively. Conclusions: This large-scale all-comer study confirms that RVF is one of the main drivers of mortality in patients with severe isolated TR. However, the current cut-offs for established echocardiographic parameters did not predict survival. Further studies should investigate the prognostic value of higher thresholds for RVF parameters in these patients.