Functional tricuspid valve insufficiency after cardiac transplantation: Which factor is the most important?

Tricuspid insufficiency (TI) is the most common valvular complication following orthotopic heart transplantation (HTx) and in serious cases is associated with increased mortality. In this study, we analyze the possible variables influencing TI following HTx and aim to identify the most important risk factors and mechanisms responsible for functional TI development and progression.

We identified the incidence of TI within our institute in 857 of 1515 patients who underwent HTx using the biatrial anastomosis technique in the years between 1986 and 2010. The risk factors that could influence TI were retrospectively analyzed in detail in a representative group of 152 patients with identical TI distribution as found in the entire program. Patients of the group were subdivided into 2 groups according to the severity of TI: patients with TI grade ≤2 and those with TI grade >2. Impact on long-term survival (>15 years) was assessed.

In univariable analysis, study variables such as age of recipient (P = .027), donor to recipient right atrium anterior wall ratio (P < .001), tricuspid annulus anterior to septal leaflet excursion ratio (P = .001), dialysis (P = .026), and total biopsy number (P = .003) showed significant differences. The variables, height of recipient (P = .080), body mass index donor to body mass index recipient ratio (P = .080), and number of biopsies with more than moderate grade (P = .067) showed a trend toward significance in the development of severe TI after HTx. In multivariable analysis, we found an independent significant association between TI after HTx and donor to recipient right atrium anterior wall ratio, number of biopsies, and dialysis.

Changes in tricuspid annulus geometry, number of biopsies, and dialysis are the most important risk factors for the development and progression of TI following cardiac transplantation. It could be prevented using modified operative techniques, noninvasive diagnostic modalities, and intensified ultrafiltration. In patients with biatrial anastomosis technique with generous atrial cuff, the presence of TI greater than grade 2 did not impact long-term survival.