Assessment of tricuspid annulus: anatomic and echocardiographic correlation

Tricuspid regurgitation is associated with a poor outcome and its quantification remains a challenge. Tricuspid annulus dilatation is one of the parameters that influences clinical decision-making. The aim of this study was to compare the use of 2D transoesophageal echocardiography with surgical assessment for the measurement of the tricuspid annulus. Sixty-one cardiac patients (median age 64 years) were included in the study. Echocardiographic tricuspid annulus measurements were obtained from four chamber and transgastric short axis views and compared with the surgical measurements of this valve. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of our institution. The tricuspid annulus measurements were obtained from the four chamber and the short axis views in 57 and 49 patients, respectively, while surgical measurement was performed in all 61 patients. Bland-Altman analysis of 49 tricuspid annulus-matched dimensions of the short axis view and surgical values showed a mean bias of 0.223 mm/m², with limits of agreement of -5.86 to 6.31 mm/m². Echocardiographic measurements of the tricuspid annulus dimension were accurate (90% sensitivity and 90% specificity for a four chamber view cut-off value ≥ 24.5 mm/m², and 89% sensitivity and 97% specificity for a short axis view cut-off value ≥ 37.6 mm/m², P < 0.0001; both cases) for detecting directly assessed annular dilatation by the surgeon in the operative field. Echocardiographic values of tricuspid annulus dimension have a good predictive value to detect surgically assessed annular dilatation and may help identify patients who require surgical tricuspid intervention.