Echocardiographic Evaluation of Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Tricuspid Valve-In-Valve Replacement

Cardiac Reverse Remodeling and Changes in Heart Failure Indices After Transcatheter Tricuspid Valve Replacement in Adults With Congenital Heart Disease

BACKGROUND

There are limited data about changes in cardiac function (cardiac reverse remodeling) and heart failure indices after transcatheter tricuspid valve-in-valve replacement (TT-VIVR). The purpose of this study was to evaluate cardiac reverse remodeling and temporal changes in heart failure indices after TT-VIVR in adults with congenital heart disease.

METHODS

Retrospective cohort study of adults with congenital heart disease that underwent TT-VIVR and had >6 months of follow-up (January 1, 2011, to April 30, 2023). Echocardiographic indices of cardiac remodeling and heart failure indices (New York Heart Association class, NT-proBNP (N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide), glomerular filtration rate, and model for end-stage liver disease excluding international normalized ratio score) were assessed preintervention and at 1-, 3-, and 5-year postintervention.

RESULTS

Of 39 patients (age 39 [32-46] years), 14 (36%) and 25 (64%) received Melody valve and Sapien valve prosthesis, respectively. At 1-year post-TT-VIVR, there was a temporal improvement in right atrial reservoir strain (17±8% versus 22±8%, P<0.001), right atrial volume (81 [59-108] versus 63 [48-82] mL/m2, P<0.001), right atrial pressure (12±4% versus 6±4%, P<0.001), and right ventricular global longitudinal strain (-15±7% versus -20±7%, P<0.001). Similarly, there was a temporal improvement in NT-proBNP, glomerular filtration rate, model for end-stage liver disease excluding international normalized ratio score, and New York Heart Association class. The temporal improvements in heart failure indices and valve function were maintained at 3- and 5-year post-TT-VIVR.

CONCLUSIONS

Considering the significant mortality risk associated with reoperations for tricuspid valve replacement, these data suggest favorable outcomes after TT-VIVR, and support TT-VIVR as a viable alternative to surgical tricuspid valve replacement, especially in high-risk patients.

Invasive Hemodynamic Characteristics in Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Tricuspid Valve-In-Valve Implantation for Treatment of Tricuspid Stenosis

Background:

We sought to describe invasive hemodynamic measurements in patients with tricuspid stenosis (TS) undergoing transcatheter tricuspid valve-in-valve (TVIV) implantation immediately pre- and postimplantation. Development of TS in patients who have undergone surgical tricuspid valve replacement with a bioprosthetic valve is a serious complication that leads to elevated right atrial (RA) pressures and decreased cardiac output. Transcatheter TVIV implantation is a viable alternative to surgical tricuspid valve replacement, but data on the hemodynamic consequences of TVIV for the treatment of severe TS are currently limited to echocardiographic assessment of Doppler-derived gradients.

Methods:

Eleven patients undergoing transcatheter TVIV implantation with moderate to severe bioprosthetic valve stenosis were selected for retrospective review. Right atrial mean pressure, right ventricular (RV) systolic and end-diastolic pressure, mean diastolic RA-RV pressure gradient, pulmonary artery capillary wedge pressure, pulmonary artery systolic, end-diastolic and mean pressures, and pulmonary artery pulsatility index (PAPi) both before and after transcatheter valve placement were collected from catheterization reports.

Results:

After transcatheter TVIV implantation, the mean TS gradient decreased significantly ( P < .01), while the mean RV end-diastolic pressure increased ( P = .046). Pulmonary artery pulsatility index also increased as the TS was relieved ( P = .039).

Conclusions:

Tricuspid valve-in-valve implantation results in immediate relief of TS, leading to increased RV preload with resultant augmentation of RV and pulmonary pressures. Increased PAPi following the procedure demonstrates acute improvement in RV output but remains low due to the failure of the RA pressure to decline significantly immediately following intervention.