Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 6, 2026
08:43
Chronic Ovine Model of Right Ventricular Failure and Functional Tricuspid Regurgitation
Published on: March 17, 2023
RACI: A Novel Prognostic Marker in Functional Tricuspid Regurgitation
Robert S Zhang1, Giorgia Falco1, Emily Li1
1Division of Cardiology (R.S.Z., G.F., E.L., P.V.-C., M.R., E.N., E.M., J.W.W., J.K.)Weill Cornell Medicine, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital.
Circulation. Cardiovascular Imaging
|July 21, 2026
Summary
The Right Atrioventricular Coupling Index (RACI) is a new measure that predicts mortality in patients with functional tricuspid regurgitation (TR). A high RACI indicates increased risk, aiding in better patient stratification and intervention timing.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Cardiac Imaging
- Hemodynamics
Background:
- The Right Atrioventricular Coupling Index (RACI) is a novel parameter assessing right atrial (RA) and right ventricular (RV) hemodynamic interaction.
- The prognostic significance of RACI in functional tricuspid regurgitation (TR) remains undetermined.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prognostic value of RACI in patients with moderate or greater functional TR.
- To determine if RACI independently predicts all-cause mortality and offers incremental value over conventional indices.
Main Methods:
- Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging was performed on 633 patients with functional TR.
- Patients were categorized into normal (RACI<0.62) and high (RACI≥0.62) groups.
- All-cause mortality was the primary outcome, with a median follow-up of 2.9 years.
Main Results:
- High RACI patients were older with larger RA volumes and smaller RV size, but similar RV function.
- A high RACI was significantly associated with increased all-cause mortality (HR 2.06).
- RACI independently predicted mortality and provided incremental prognostic value over traditional right heart indices.
Conclusions:
- RACI integrates RA and RV remodeling and independently predicts mortality in functional TR.
- Integrating RACI into clinical practice may enhance risk stratification and guide intervention timing for functional TR patients.
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