Applying the TRILUMINATE Eligibility Criteria to Real-World Patients Receiving Tricuspid Valve Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair

Impact of Pulmonary Hypertension on Outcomes After Transcatheter Tricuspid Valve Edge-to-Edge Repair

BACKGROUND

Data regarding the association of pulmonary hypertension (PH) and outcomes in patients undergoing transcatheter tricuspid valve edge-to-edge repair (T-TEER) are scarce.

OBJECTIVES

The aims of this study were: 1) to investigate the impact of PH on outcomes after T-TEER; and 2) to shed further light on the role of precapillary- and postcapillary PH in patients undergoing T-TEER for relevant tricuspid regurgitation (TR).

METHODS

The study included patients from EuroTR (European Registry of Transcatheter Repair for Tricuspid Regurgitation; NCT06307262) who underwent T-TEER for relevant TR from 2016 until 2023 with available invasive evaluation of systolic pulmonary artery pressure (sPAP) using right heart catheterization. Study endpoints were procedural TR reduction, improvement in NYHA function class, and a combined endpoint of death or heart failure hospitalization (HFH) at 2 years.

RESULTS

Among a total of 1,230 patients (mean age 78.6 ± 7.0 years, 51.4% women), increasing sPAP was independently associated with increasing rates of 2-year death or HFH (HR: 1.027; 95% CI: 1.003-1.052; P = 0.030; median survival follow-up 343 days [Q1-Q3: 114-645 days]). No significant survival differences were observed for patients with pre- vs postcapillary PH. Sensitivity analysis revealed an sPAP value of 46 mm Hg as the optimized threshold for the prediction of death or HFH. Being observed in 526 patients (42.8%), elevated sPAP (>46 mm Hg) was associated with more severe heart failure symptoms at baseline and follow-up. Importantly, NYHA functional class significantly improved and TR severity was significantly reduced irrespective of PH.

CONCLUSIONS

PH is an important outcome predictor in patients undergoing T-TEER for relevant TR. In contrast to previous studies, no significant differences were observed for patients with precapillary and postcapillary PH in terms of survival free from HFH.

Tricuspid Regurgitation Disease Stages and Treatment Outcomes After Transcatheter Tricuspid Valve Repair

BACKGROUND

Tricuspid transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (T-TEER) has emerged as a treatment option for patients with severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR). However, randomized trials have not shown a survival benefit, possibly because of the inclusion of patients in an early or too advanced disease stage.

OBJECTIVES

The authors sought to investigate the association between disease stage and outcomes following T-TEER.

METHODS

In total, 1,885 patients with significant TR were analyzed, including 585 conservatively treated individuals and 1,300 patients who received T-TEER. Patients were evaluated as part of the prospective EuroTR (European Registry of Transcatheter Repair for Tricuspid Regurgitation) registry and grouped into early, intermediate, and advanced disease stage. Disease stage was based on left and right ventricular function, renal function, and natriuretic peptide levels. The stratification was validated in an external cohort. The primary endpoint was 1-year mortality.

RESULTS

Overall, 395 patients (21% [395/1,885]) were categorized as early, 1,173 patients (62% [1,173/1,885]) as intermediate, and 317 patients (17% [317/1,885]) as advanced disease stage. In patients with early and advanced disease, mortality did not differ between interventional and conservative treatment (early-stage HR: 0.78; 95% CI: 0.34-1.80; P = 0.54; advanced stage HR: 1.06; 95% CI: 0.71-1.60; P = 0.78). However, mortality was significantly lower in patients undergoing percutaneous treatment with intermediate disease stage (HR: 0.73; 95% CI: 0.52-0.99; P = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

Compared to medically treated controls, T-TEER was associated with 1-year survival at intermediate stage disease but not at early or advanced disease stages. The timing of T-TEER with regard to disease stages might be crucial to optimize treatment benefits.

Simplified Outcome Prediction in Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Tricuspid Valve Intervention by Survival Tree-Based Modelling

BACKGROUND

Patients with severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR) typically present with heterogeneity in the extent of cardiac dysfunction and extra-cardiac comorbidities, which play a decisive role for survival after transcatheter tricuspid valve intervention (TTVI).

OBJECTIVES

This aim of this study was to create a survival tree-based model to determine the cardiac and extra-cardiac features associated with 2-year survival after TTVI.

METHODS

The study included 918 patients (derivation set, n = 631; validation set, n = 287) undergoing TTVI for severe TR. Supervised machine learning-derived survival tree-based modelling was applied to preprocedural clinical, laboratory, echocardiographic, and hemodynamic data.

RESULTS

Following univariate regression analysis to pre-select candidate variables for 2-year mortality prediction, a survival tree-based model was constructed using 4 key parameters. Three distinct cluster-related risk categories were identified, which differed significantly in survival after TTVI. Patients from the low-risk category (n = 261) were defined by mean pulmonary artery pressure ≤28 mm Hg and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide ≤2,728 pg/mL, and they exhibited a 2-year survival rate of 85.5%. Patients from the high-risk category (n = 190) were defined by mean pulmonary artery pressure >28 mm Hg, right atrial area >32.5 cm2, and estimated glomerular filtration rate ≤51 mL/min, and they showed a significantly worse 2-year survival of only 52.6% (HR for 2-year mortality: 4.3, P < 0.001). Net re-classification improvement analysis demonstrated that this model was comparable to the TRI-Score and outperformed the EuroScore II in identifying high-risk patients. The prognostic value of risk phenotypes was confirmed by external validation.

CONCLUSIONS

This simple survival tree-based model effectively stratifies patients with severe TR into distinct risk categories, demonstrating significant differences in 2-year survival after TTVI.

Transcatheter Tricuspid Valve Replacement

Transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement (TTVR) has emerged as a promising intervention for the treatment of severe tricuspid regurgitation with complex valve morphology. This consensus document provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of orthotopic TTVR, focusing on patient selection, procedural details, and follow-up care. Clinical outcomes from initial studies and compassionate use cases are discussed, highlighting the effectiveness of TTVR in reducing tricuspid regurgitation, inducing reverse right ventricular remodeling, and enhancing patients' quality of life. This review paper also addresses potential complications and challenges associated with TTVR, such as new-onset conduction disturbances, bleeding complications, and afterload mismatch, and provides expert recommendations for the periprocedural management, anticoagulation strategies, and long-term follow-up. With the commercial approval of the first TTVR system in the United States and Europe, it intends to serve as a reference for clinicians and researchers involved in the evolving field of transcatheter tricuspid valve interventions.

Transcatheter Valve Repair for Tricuspid Regurgitation: 1-Year Results From a Large European Real-World Registry

BACKGROUND

Tricuspid valve transcatheter edge-to-edge repair has emerged as a valuable treatment option for patients with severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR).

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to investigate the safety and effectiveness of the PASCAL transcatheter valve repair system in treating severe TR in a real-world patient population.

METHODS

The PASTE (PASCAL for Tricuspid Regurgitation-a European registry) study is an investigator-initiated, multicenter, retrospective, and prospective observational cohort analysis conducted across 16 European heart valve centers including consecutive patients treated with the PASCAL transcatheter valve repair system from February 2019 to November 2023. Echocardiographic assessments were performed at baseline, discharge, and follow-up, and were subjected to centralized analysis.

RESULTS

The study included 1,059 high-risk patients (mean age 79 ± 9 years; 53% female; TRI-SCORE risk 23% ± 18%; 87% NYHA functional class III/IV) with multiple comorbidities. Severe or higher graded TR was observed in 96% of patients. Intraprocedural success according to Tricuspid Valve Academic Research Consortium criteria was achieved in 85%, and TR reduced to ≤moderate in 87%. Independent predictors for a postprocedure residual TR of >moderate were coaptation gaps ≥8 mm (OR: 1.67; 95% CI: 1.03-2.72; P = 0.038), tenting height ≥10 mm (OR: 2.18; CI: 1.30-3.65; P = 0.003), the presence of a transvalvular lead (OR: 1.91; 95% CI: 1.19-3.05; P = 0.007), right ventricular dilatation >42 mm (OR: 3.35; 95% CI: 1.37-9.1; P = 0.009) and massive/torrential TR at baseline (OR: 4.59; 95% CI: 2.35-8.96; P < 0.001). At 1 year, 83% of patients showed ≤moderate TR. Significant clinical improvements included enhanced NYHA functional class (66% class I/II vs 17% at baseline; P < 0.001). Patients treated with the first-generation PASCAL system (n = 570) and with the new PASCAL Precision system (n = 489) had similar clinical profiles and TR severity at baseline. However, the Precision cohort showed greater TR reduction to trace/mild (63% vs 49%; P < 0.001), shorter procedure times (median 93 minutes [Q1-Q3: 69-130 minutes] vs 120 minutes [Q1-Q3: 82-165 minutes]; P < 0.001), and higher clinical success rates according to the Tricuspid Valve Academic Research Consortium at 30 days and 1 year (87% vs 81% [P = 0.021] and 56% vs 50% [P = 0.044], respectively). Higher center experience (≥21 patients/year) resulted in higher intraprocedural and clinical success.

CONCLUSIONS

The PASCAL system effectively treats severe TR in high-risk patients, offering sustained TR reduction and significant clinical improvements at 1-year follow-up. (PASCAL for Tricuspid Regurgitation-a European registry [PASTE]; NCT05328284).

Registries on transcatheter edge-to-edge repair in heart failure: Current evidence and future perspectives

AIMS

Secondary mitral regurgitation (SMR) and tricuspid regurgitation (TR) are the most common valvular heart diseases in patients with heart failure (HF). Transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) devices designed for treating MR and TR have been successfully tested in randomized controlled trials, but methodological issues have often challenged their interpretation. This manuscript aimed to provide an overview of TEER registries on SMR and TR in HF, highlighting their key features, describing clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients receiving these devices, and exploring the available data limitations.

METHODS AND RESULTS

PubMed, Web of Science, and EMBASE were searched for registries reporting on TEER in SMR or TR. Registries were excluded if single-centre and with <100 patients. Twenty-six registries (46% prospective, 12% ongoing), including a total cohort of 18 925 patients, were retrieved for TEER in SMR, and six registries (50% retrospective, 33% ongoing) reported on the use of TEER for TR in a total cohort of 1412 patients. Limited geographical representativity outside North America and Europe, high number of missing values, and inconsistency in data reporting were the main existing evidence limitations.

CONCLUSION

Registries on TEER represent a key data source in a setting where it is difficult to conduct randomized controlled trials. However, limitations in design, patient characterization, and outcomes reporting restrain their use. A novel conceptual framework for future prospective TEER registries, as proposed in this document, might inform current practice, address relevant clinical questions and future trial design.

Impact of Renal and Liver Function on Clinical Outcomes Following Tricuspid Valve Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair

BACKGROUND

The TRILUMINATE Pivotal trial is a prospective, randomized, controlled study of patients with severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR). Venous congestion due to TR may lead to end-organ dysfunction and failure. The potential to reverse or stop further deterioration in end-organ function is an important goal of treatment.

OBJECTIVES

This study sought to examine changes in end-organ function after tricuspid transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) and assess the association of baseline end-organ function with heart failure (HF) hospitalizations and mortality.

METHODS

Subjects were randomized 1:1 to either the TEER group (TriClip System + medical therapy) or control group (medical therapy alone). Laboratory assessments and TR grading were performed at baseline and at all follow-up visits (discharge, 30 days, 6 months, and 12 months). An independent echocardiography core laboratory assessed TR severity and an independent clinical events committee adjudicated adverse events.

RESULTS

A total of 572 subjects were enrolled and randomized (285 TEER, 287 control patients). Patients with moderate-to-severe end-organ impairment (estimated glomerular ejection fraction [eGFR] <45 mL/min/1.73 m2 or Model for End-Stage Liver Disease excluding INR [MELD-XI] >15) at baseline had increased incidence of HF hospitalization and death through 12 months, regardless of treatment. There were no statistically significant differences between TEER and control patients in eGFR or MELD-XI at 12 months. In subgroup analyses examining only successful TEER patients (moderate or less TR at discharge) compared with control patients, as well as when censoring patients with normal baseline values, both eGFR (+3.55 ± 1.04 mL/min/1.73 m2 vs 0.07 ± 1.10 mL/min/1.73 m2; P = 0.022) and MELD-XI (-0.52 ± 0.18 vs 0.34 ± 0.18; P = 0.0007) improved.

CONCLUSIONS

Baseline end-organ function was associated with HF hospitalization and death in patients with severe TR. At 12 months, eGFR and MELD-XI scores were not statistically significantly different between the overall TEER and control groups. In patients who had successful TEER, statistically significant, yet small, favorable changes occurred for both eGFR and MELD-XI. Further investigation is needed to assess whether these changes in end-organ function after successful TEER are clinically meaningful and reduce HF hospitalization or death. (Clinical Trial to Evaluate Cardiovascular Outcomes In Patients Treated With the Tricuspid Valve Repair System Pivotal [TRILUMINATE Pivotal]; NCT03904147).

Atrial Secondary Tricuspid Regurgitation: Insights Into the EuroTR Registry

BACKGROUND

Atrial secondary tricuspid regurgitation (A-STR) has been proposed as an important etiologic subentity of secondary tricuspid regurgitation (STR). Patients with A-STR are frequently treated using transcatheter tricuspid valve edge-to-edge repair (T-TEER).

OBJECTIVES

The aims of this study were to evaluate prevalence and outcomes following T-TEER for severe A-STR and to compare the results to patients with nonatrial STR.

METHODS

The study included patients from the EuroTR (European Registry of Transcatheter Repair for Tricuspid Regurgitation) registry who underwent T-TEER for STR from 2016 until 2022. A-STR was defined as a ratio of end-systolic right atrial area to right ventricular area ≥1.5 in the presence of preserved right ventricular function (tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion >17 mm). The primary study endpoint was 2-year survival free from heart failure hospitalization. Secondary endpoints were 2-year survival, tricuspid regurgitation (TR) reduction at discharge and 1-year follow-up as well as changes in NYHA functional class.

RESULTS

This study included 641 patients (50% women) with a mean age of 79 ± 7 years. The overall prevalence of A-STR was 31% (n = 196). A-STR was associated with a higher prevalence of atrial fibrillation, less frequent comorbidities, better biventricular function, less leaflet tenting, and larger atria. Although TR severity was comparable at baseline, patients with A-STR had more effective procedural TR reduction (TR ≤2+ in 86.9% vs 80.4% of those with nonatrial STR; P = 0.005). Although NYHA functional class improved in both STR subetiologies, the symptomatic burden was lower in patients with A-STR at the latest available follow-up (NYHA functional class ≥III in 46% of patients with nonatrial STR vs 38% in those with A-STR; P = 0.033). Beyond that, A-STR was associated with higher 2-year survival rates free from heart failure hospitalization (66.3% [Q1-Q3: 58.2%-75.5%] vs 47.5% [Q1-Q3: 41.7%-54.7%] in patients with nonatrial STR; P < 0.001). Median survival follow-up was 379 days [Q1-Q3: 155-697 days].

CONCLUSIONS

A-STR is a common phenotype of STR and is associated with effective TR reduction and symptomatic reduction after T-TEER.

Transjugular Transcatheter Tricuspid Valve Replacement: Early Compassionate Use Outcomes

BACKGROUND

Data on procedural and early outcomes after transjugular transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement (TTVR) are limited.

OBJECTIVES

This study sought to evaluate first-in-man procedural and clinical outcomes after transjugular TTVR with a special focus on patients who received large device sizes in whom TTVR outcomes have been questioned.

METHODS

The retrospective registry included patients who underwent TTVR using the LuX-Valve Plus system (Jenscare Biotechnology Co Ltd) for symptomatic tricuspid regurgitation (TR) from January 2022 until February 2024 at 15 international centers in a compassionate use setting. The endpoints were procedural TR reduction, in-hospital death, adverse events, and 1-month survival. We further stratified results according to the size of the implanted device (<55 vs ≥55 mm).

RESULTS

The registry included a total of 76 patients at a median age of 78 years (Q1-Q3: 72-83 years, 47.4% women). TR was reduced to ≤2+ and ≤1+ in 94.7% and 90.8% of patients (75.0% of patients received TTVR devices ≥55 mm) with well-sustained results at 1-month follow-up (TR ≤2+ in 95.0% and ≤1+ 86.8%). Residual TR was paravalvular in all cases. In-hospital death occurred in 4 patients (5.3%). Four patients (5.3%) underwent cardiac surgery during index hospitalization. Major in-hospital bleeding events occurred in 5 patients (6.6%). New in-hospital pacemaker implantation was required in 3.9% of patients in the overall cohort (5.7% in "pacemaker-naive" individuals). No cases of valve thrombosis, stroke, myocardial infarction, or pulmonary embolism were observed. At 1-month follow-up, survival was 94.4%, and NYHA functional class significantly improved. One further patient received a pacemaker, 1 further bleeding event occurred, and 2 patients underwent reintervention or surgery within the first 30 days after TTVR. No differences in procedural outcomes or adverse events were observed after stratification for valve size.

CONCLUSIONS

Transjugular TTVR appears to be a safe and effective treatment option for patients with severe TR with comparable outcomes in very large tricuspid anatomies.

Real-World 1-Year Results of Tricuspid Edge-to-Edge Repair From the bRIGHT Study

BACKGROUND

Severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is known to be associated with poor quality of life and increased risk of death when left untreated.

OBJECTIVES

We sought to report the 1-year clinical outcomes of subjects treated by tricuspid transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) with the TriClip system (Abbott Cardiovascular) in a contemporary real-world setting.

METHODS

The bRIGHT (An Observational Real-World Study Evaluating Severe Tricuspid Regurgitation Patients Treated With the Abbott TriClip Device) postapproval study is a prospective, single-arm, open-label, multicenter postmarket registry conducted at 26 sites in Europe, with central event adjudication and echocardiographic core-laboratory assessment.

RESULTS

Enrolled subjects (n = 511) were elderly (79 ± 7 years) with significant comorbidities. A total of 88% had baseline massive or torrential TR, and 80% of subjects were in NYHA functional class III/IV. TR was reduced to moderate or less in 81% at 1 year. Significant improvements in NYHA functional class (21% to 75% I/II, P < 0.0001) and Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ) score (19 ± 26-point improvement, P <0.0001) were observed at 1 year. One-year mortality was significantly lower in subjects who achieved moderate or lower TR at 30 days; however, there was no difference in mortality among subjects who achieved moderate, mild, or trace TR at 30 days. In addition to TR reduction at 30 days, baseline serum creatinine and baseline right ventricular tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (RV TAPSE) were independently associated with mortality at 1 year (OR: 2.169; 95% CI: 1.494-3.147; P < 0.0001; OR: 0.636; 95% CI: 0.415-0.974; P = 0.0375). Mortality was not associated with baseline TR grade or with center volume.

CONCLUSIONS

Tricuspid TEER using the TriClip system was safe and effective through 1 year for subjects with significant TR and advanced disease in a diverse real-world population. (An Observational Real-world Study Evaluating Severe Tricuspid Regurgitation Patients Treated With the Abbott TriClip Device [bRIGHT]; NCT04483089).

Time to assess more than prognosis: advancements and challenges in transcatheter tricuspid valve interventions

We provide an overview about the current landscape of transcatheter tricuspid valve interventions (TTVI) and summarize recent findings from trials including TRILUMINATE, TRILUMINATE Pivotal, bRIGHT, TRICLASP, TRISCEND, TRISCEND II, TRICUS, and Cardioband TR EFS. These studies have demonstrated the safety and efficacy of TTVI. Yet, they have failed to show a prognostic benefit over conservative treatment. On the other hand, significant improvements in health status assessments have been observed. Assessment of right ventricular (RV) function prior to tricuspid interventions is crucial, as changes in preload and afterload may lead to RV failure which is associated with a high mortality. Therefore, this review emphasizes the impact of TTVIs on quality of life and explores the influence of RV dysfunction on therapeutic success and prognosis.

Residual tricuspid regurgitation after tricuspid transcatheter edge-to-edge repair: Insights into the EuroTR registry

AIMS

Data on the prognostic impact of residual tricuspid regurgitation (TR) after tricuspid transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (T-TEER) are scarce. The aim of this analysis was to evaluate 2-year survival and symptomatic outcomes of patients in relation to residual TR after T-TEER.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Using the large European Registry of Transcatheter Repair for Tricuspid Regurgitation (EuroTR registry) we investigated the impact of residual TR on 2-year all-cause mortality and New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class at follow-up. The study further identified predictors for residual TR ≥3+ using a logistic regression model. The study included a total of 1286 T-TEER patients (mean age 78.0 ± 8.9 years, 53.6% female). TR was successfully reduced to ≤1+ in 42.4%, 2+ in 40.0% and 3+ in 14.9% of patients at discharge, while 2.8% remained with TR ≥4+ after the procedure. Residual TR ≥3+ was an independent multivariable predictor of 2-year all-cause mortality (hazard ratio 2.06, 95% confidence interval 1.30-3.26, p = 0.002). The prevalence of residual TR ≥3+ was four times higher in patients with higher baseline TR (vena contracta >11.1 mm) and more severe tricuspid valve tenting (tenting area >1.92 cm2). Of note, no survival difference was observed in patients with residual TR ≤1+ versus 2+ (76.2% vs. 73.1%, p = 0.461). The rate of NYHA functional class ≥III at follow-up was significantly higher in patients with residual TR ≥3+ (52.4% vs. 40.5%, p < 0.001). Of note, the degree of TR reduction significantly correlated with the extent of symptomatic improvement (p = 0.012).

CONCLUSIONS

T-TEER effectively reduced TR severity in the majority of patients. While residual TR ≥3+ was associated with worse outcomes, no differences were observed for residual TR 1+ versus 2+. Symptomatic improvement correlated with the degree of TR reduction.