Transcatheter Tricuspid Valve Replacement: A Feasible Solution to a Real-world Problem.

Background and Objective

As one of the most prevalent valvular pathologies affecting millions globally, moderate-to-severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR) predisposes to increased mortality. Despite the well-established risk of adverse outcomes, an overwhelming majority of TR patients are managed conservatively due to challenges associated with timely diagnosis, clinical course of the disease, competing comorbities that carry prohibitive surgical risk, and poor surgical outcomes. These challenges highlight the importance of transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement (TTVR) which has restructured TR management in promising and innovative ways.

Methods

We start with an overview of the pathophysiology of TR considering its implications in management. We then elaborate on the current state of TR management, including its limitations, thereby highlighting the unique role of TTVR. This is followed by a review of perioperative considerations such as careful patient selection, role of multimodality imaging, the various imaging techniques that are available and their contribution towards successful TTVR. We then review the valves that are currently available and under investigation, including the latest data available on device efficacy and safety, and highlight the ongoing clinical trials.

Results and Conclusions

TTVR is evolving at an exponential pace and has made its mark in the treatment of severe symptomatic tricuspid regurgitation. The promising results sustained by currently available devices and ongoing investigation of valves under development continue to pave the path for further innovation in transcatheter interventions. However, it is important to acknowledge and appreciate the novelty of this approach, the lack of long-term data on safety, efficacy, morbidity, and mortality, and use the lessons learned from real-world experiences to provide a definitive and reproducible solution for patients with symptomatic TR.

Informations de copyright

Copyright: © 2022 The Author(s). Published by IMR Press.

Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts

The authors declare no conflict of interest. Azeem Latib, MD has served on Advisory Boards or as a consultant for Medtronic, Boston Scientific, Edwards Lifesciences, Abbott, and V-dyne. Azeem Latib is serving as Guest Editor of this journal. We declare that Azeem Latib had no involvement in the peer review of this article and has no access to information regarding its peer review. Full responsibility for the editorial process for this article was delegated to Eustachio Agricola.