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Practice Gap in Addressing Secondary Tricuspid Regurgitation During Systemic Valve Surgery for Rheumatic Heart
Siddharth V Som1, Ankus S Kotwal1, Amit Rastogi2
1Cardiovascular Surgery, Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, IND.
Insights
This study found that tricuspid regurgitation (TR) progression was similar in patients with severe TR and pulmonary hypertension, whether or not they had tricuspid valve repair (TVr). Further investigation is needed for this patient group.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Cardiac Surgery
- Clinical Practice Guidelines
Background:
- Tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is a common complication in patients undergoing left-sided valve surgery.
- Addressing TR in these patients presents a practice gap, particularly concerning the need for tricuspid valve repair (TVr).
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the practice gap in managing tricuspid regurgitation (TR) in patients undergoing left-sided valve surgery.
- To evaluate the outcomes of TVr in patients with moderate to severe TR and a dilated tricuspid valve annulus.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective cohort study of 1,129 patients undergoing left-sided valve operations for rheumatic heart disease between 2015-2018.
- Patients were divided into four groups based on TR severity and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) status.
- Primary endpoint was the appearance of severe TR at follow-up; TVr was performed in 68 patients with moderate to severe TR and a dilated annulus.
Main Results:
- The primary endpoint (severe TR) was observed in 6.3% (mild TR), 21.1% (severe TR with PAH), 49.5% (severe TR, non-severe PAH), and 23.5% (moderate-severe TR with dilated annulus).
- Severe TR developed more frequently in patients with moderate TR preoperatively (p=0.04).
- There was a departure from AHA/ACC guidelines in 66.6% of cases involving severe TR; severe TR emergence was similar in Group 2 (no TVr) and Group 4 (TVr).
Conclusions:
- The development of severe TR during follow-up was similar for patients with preoperative severe TR and severe pulmonary hypertension, regardless of TVr.
- The need for TVr in patients with severe TR and severe pulmonary hypertension requires further investigation.
Background & Aims:
This study analyses the practice gap in addressing tricuspid regurgitation (TR) in patients undergoing left-sided valve surgery.
Methods:
This is a retrospective cohort study of patients operated on between January 2015 and December 2018. A total of 1,129 patients underwent left-sided valve operations for rheumatic aetiology. Tricuspid valve repair (TVr) was performed in 68 patients. Patients with follow-up data and isolated or predominantly mitral valve replacement were divided based on the severity of TR: Group 1 (n = 771), patients with mild TR; Group 2 (n = 109), patients with severe TR and severe pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH); Group 3 (n = 33), patients with severe TR and non-severe PAH; and Group 4 (n = 68), patients with moderate to severe TR and a dilated tricuspid valve annulus. Group 4 patients received TVr. The primary endpoint was the appearance of severe TR at follow-up.
Results:
The mean age of the whole cohort of 1,129 patients (n = 598 (53%) males and n = 531 (47%) females) was 35.42 ± 13.91 years. Mean follow-up of 27.3 ± 18.9 months was available for 1,061 patients. The primary endpoint was observed in 6.3%, 21.1%, 49.5%, and 23.5% of patients, respectively, from Group 1 to Group 4. Preoperatively, mild TR was observed in 771, moderate in 147, and severe in 143 patients who completed follow-up. The primary endpoint was more common in patients with moderate TR (p = 0.04). The American Heart Association (AHA) and American College of Cardiology (ACC) collaborate to produce clinical practice guidelines providing evidence-based recommendations to improve cardiovascular health. These guidelines are the official policy of both organisations and are intended to provide a foundation for quality cardiovascular care globally, though the focus is on US medical practice. There was a departure from the recommendation in 66.6% of cases (Groups 2 and 3) involving patients with severe TR (Groups 2-4). The emergence of severe TR in Groups 2 and 4 was similar, even though patients in Group 2 did not receive TVr, contrary to the recommendation.
Conclusion:
The appearance of severe TR during follow-up for patients with preoperatively severe TR with severe pulmonary hypertension (PH) was similar, irrespective of whether TVr was performed. This group should be further investigated regarding the need for TVr.
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