Functional Tricuspid Regurgitation

• Published in: Journal of the American College of Cardiology 2015-06, Vol.65 (21), p.2331-2336
• Main Authors: Dreyfus, Gilles D., MD, PhD, Martin, Randolph P., MD, Chan, K.M. John, PhD, Dulguerov, Filip, MD, Alexandrescu, Clara, MD
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 2D/3D echocardiographic evaluation; annular dilation; Cardiac arrhythmia; Cardiology; Cardiovascular; Cardiovascular disease; Heart; Internal Medicine; leaflet coaptation mode; leaflet tethering; Medical prognosis; Pathology; Pulmonary hypertension; Surgery; tricuspid annuloplasty with or without leaflet augmentation; tricuspid regurgitation grading
• ISSN: 0735-1097; 1558-3597
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jacc.2015.04.011

Abstract The assessment of the etiology and severity of functional tricuspid regurgitation (FTR) has many limitations, especially when tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is more than severe. Instead of relying solely on TR severity, a new approach not only takes into account the severity of TR, but also pays strict attention to tricuspid annular dilation (size), the mode of tricuspid leaflet coaptation, and tricuspid leaflet tethering—factors often influenced by right ventricular enlargement and dysfunction. To simplify things, we propose a new staging system for functional tricuspid valve pathology using 3 parameters that may more accurately reflect the severity of the disease: TR severity, annular dilation, and mode of leaflet coaptation (extent of tethering). We believe that by utilizing these parameters, cardiologists and cardiac surgeons will be offered a better system for appraisal and decision-making in FTR.