Tricuspid valve prolapse diagnosed by echocardiogram

Prevalence and Clinical Implications of Tricuspid Valve Prolapse Based on Magnetic Resonance Diagnostic Criteria

BACKGROUND

Tricuspid valve prolapse (TVP) is an uncertain diagnosis with unknown clinical significance because of a scarcity of published data.

OBJECTIVES

In this study, cardiac magnetic resonance was used to: 1) propose diagnostic criteria for TVP; 2) evaluate the prevalence of TVP in patients with primary mitral regurgitation (MR); and 3) identify the clinical implications of TVP with regard to tricuspid regurgitation (TR).

METHODS

Forty-one healthy volunteers were analyzed to identify normal tricuspid leaflet displacement and propose criteria for TVP. A total of 465 consecutive patients with primary MR (263 with mitral valve prolapse [MVP] and 202 with nondegenerative mitral valve disease [non-MVP]) were phenotyped for the presence and clinical significance of TVP.

RESULTS

The proposed TVP criteria included right atrial displacement of ≥2 mm for the anterior and posterior tricuspid leaflets and ≥3 mm for the septal leaflet. Thirty-one (24%) subjects with single-leaflet MVP and 63 (47%) with bileaflet MVP met the proposed criteria for TVP. TVP was not evident in the non-MVP cohort. Patients with TVP were more likely to have severe MR (38.3% vs 18.9%; P < 0.001) and advanced TR (23.4% of patients with TVP demonstrated moderate or severe TR vs 6.2% of patients without TVP; P < 0.001), independent of right ventricular systolic function.

CONCLUSIONS

TR in subjects with MVP should not be routinely considered functional, as TVP is a prevalent finding associated with MVP and more often associated with advanced TR compared with patients with primary MR without TVP. A comprehensive assessment of tricuspid anatomy should be an important component of the preoperative evaluation for mitral valve surgery.

Characteristics and Significance of Tricuspid Valve Prolapse in a Large Multidecade Echocardiographic Study

BACKGROUND

Characteristics of tricuspid valve prolapse (TVP) on transthoracic echocardiography are not well defined. As tricuspid valve interventions are increasingly considered, information on the definition and clinical significance of TVP is needed.

METHODS

At the authors' institution, between January 26, 2000, and September 20, 2018, 410 patients (0.3%) were determined to have suspected TVP. These transthoracic echocardiograms and those of 97 age- and sex-matched normal control subjects were reviewed. Interrater agreement on TVP by visual inspection was assessed in a blinded subset. Leaflet atrial displacement (AD) > 2 SDs above the mean in normal control subjects was used to identify an empiric definition of TVP Features of patients meeting this definition were evaluated.

RESULTS

Three hundred twelve transthoracic echocardiograms with available and interpretable images (76.1%) were included. Interrater agreement on TVP diagnosis by visual inspection was moderate. Normal values of AD were up to 4 mm in the right ventricular inflow view and 2 mm in all other views. AD > 2 mm in the parasternal short-axis view had the best accuracy against suspected TVP to identify TVP. Those with TVP by this definition more frequently had 3 to 4+ tricuspid regurgitation (22.2% vs 3.1%; P < .001), mitral valve prolapse (MVP; 75.0% vs 3.1%; P < .001), and more clinically significant MVP (greater prevalence of 3 to 4+ mitral regurgitation). No difference in mortality was observed in those with isolated TVP versus TVP and MVP (log-rank P = .93).

CONCLUSIONS

In the largest study of TVP to date, interrater agreement on TVP diagnosis by visual inspection was moderate. A cutoff of >2-mm AD in the parasternal short-axis view was optimal to define TVP. Those with TVP by this definition had more significant tricuspid regurgitation, larger right ventricles, and more clinically significant MVP. Overall, these results suggest an increased role for surveillance for TVP and the need for clear diagnostic criteria in updated guidelines.

Isolated prolapse of the tricuspid valve

Tricuspid valve prolapse has remained a poorly defined entity. Some authors have stated that prolapse isolated to the tricuspid valve has not been documented. This report contains three cases of isolated tricuspid valve prolapse including the first pathologically confirmed case. A review of worldwide literature including all reported cases of isolated tricuspid valve prolapse is also presented. Although signs and symptoms are similar to those found with mitral valve prolapse, tricuspid valve prolapse may occasionally be differentiated by auscultation. The diagnostic criteria of tricuspid valve prolapse are thoroughly discussed for each of the presently available invasive and noninvasive techniques. Right heart catheterization can define such prolapse but is invasive and requires meticulous technique. Two-dimensional echocardiography supersedes M-mode because of the superior spatial evaluation of the tricuspid leaflets in relation to the right atrium and ventricle. Multiple views including a long-axis view of the right ventricular inflow are often required. This parasternal echocardiographic window is often the only one which permits adequate visualization of the posterior leaflet. The pathologic findings of tricuspid valve prolapse are similar to those of mitral valve prolapse. This report concludes with a description of associated conditions. Severe tricuspid regurgitation has not been noted with tricuspid valve prolapse in the absence of superimposed disease, yet much remains undefined concerning the clinical significance of this condition.

Tricuspid regurgitation: noninvasive techniques for determining causes and severity

Tricuspid regurgitation is often not apparent on physical examination and several methods are now available to aid in this difficult assessment. Cardiac catheterization using right ventriculography, previously considered the diagnostic standard, has several limitations. Currently available noninvasive tools such as M-mode and two-dimensional echocardiography (with or without contrast), Doppler techniques and even radionuclide cardiologic imaging have added significantly to the precise assessment of the presence and severity of tricuspid regurgitation. This review examines the comparative use and limitations of these various techniques.

Echocardiographic evaluation of normal and prolapsed tricuspid valve leaflets

The tricuspid valve was examined by 2-dimensional (2-D) echocardiography in 14 patients with tricuspid valve prolapse (TVP) and in 16 normal subjects. Individual leaflets were identified anatomically and for frequency of prolapse. Maximal and minimal anular sizes were measured. Multiple tomograms of the tricuspid anulus were recorded at 30 degrees intervals around the tricuspid anulus with the transducer placed at the right ventricular apex. Anuli were reconstructed from the 6 planes and corrected for body surface area. Three leaflets of the tricuspid valve could be anatomically identified in all patients. Prolapse of all 3 leaflets was observed in 6 patients, 2 leaflets in 5 and 1 in 3. Frequency of individual leaflet prolapse was 93% for the septal cusp, 86% for the anterior and 43% for the posterior. Maximal anular circumference and area in TVP were 7.9 +/- 0.6 and 8.9 +/- 1.3 cm2/m2, respectively--significantly larger than values in normal subjects (6.4 +/- 0.5 cm/m2 and 6.1 +/- 0.9 cm2/m2, respectively) (p less than 0.001). Percent reductions in circumference and area in TVP were 14 +/- 3 and 25 +/- 5%, respectively--significantly smaller values than in normal subjects (19 +/- 4 and 33 +/- 4%, respectively). Tricuspid regurgitation (TR) was detected by contrast echocardiography in 7 of 14 patients with TVP. The severity of TR appeared to be minimal in 6 of the 7 patients, and was not associated with an increase in anular size. Thus, TVP is associated with anular dilatation irrespective of associated TR, probably as a primary pathologic characteristic.

Two dimensional echocardiography and the tricuspid valve. Leaflet definition and prolapse

The tricuspid valve was studied in 143 subjects using two dimensional echocardiography. The groups studied were 40 normal subjects, 31 patients with mitral valve prolapse, 22 with clinically probable tricuspid valve prolapse, 20 with congestive cardiac failure, and 30 with miscellaneous cardiac conditions but no features of right heart disease. Using multiple views it was possible to record all three leaflets in 74.8% of cases and anterior and septal leaflets in 95%. Prolapse of the tricuspid valve was recognised in 13 patients: six (19.5%) of the group with mitral valve prolapse and seven (6%) of the remaining patients. Prolapse of all three leaflets was shown in one patient, anterior and septal prolapse in six patients, anterior and posterior in three patients, septal leaflet prolapse alone in two patients, and anterior alone in one patient. Two dimensional echocardiography allows definition of individual tricuspid leaflets and prolapse of any or all leaflets can be diagnosed. Tricuspid valve prolapse is commonly associated with prolapse of mitral valve leaflets but isolated cases are recognised.

Subxiphoid two-dimensional echocardiographic detection of tricuspid valve prolapse

A patient with click and late systolic murmur syndrome originating in the right side of the heart is described. Prolapse of the anterior tricuspid leaflet was demonstrated by subxiphoid two-dimensional echocardiography alone. Neither of the mitral leaflets showed any evidence of prolapse on the echocardiogram. The prolapsed anterior tricuspid leaflet and mild regurgitation were confirmed by right heart cineangiogram.