Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate the procedural feasibility and short-term durability of the transcatheter tricuspid valve edge-to-edge repair technique in highly symptomatic patients with severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR).
Methods and results: Eighteen consecutive patients suffering from severe right-sided heart failure (NYHA Class III-IV), primarily due to moderate to severe tricuspid regurgitation, were included in the study. Applying a modified steering technique for the clip delivery system, six patients were treated for isolated severe TR, while 12 patients were treated for moderate to severe TR and concomitant severe mitral regurgitation. The primary objectives were procedural success, defined as reduction of at least one TR grade, and 30-day echocardiographic and clinical outcomes. A total of 41 clips (2.3±0.7 per patient) were placed into the tricuspid valve of high surgical risk patients (EuroSCORE II: 10±8%). Procedural success was achieved in all patients; no MACCE occurred in hospital. The presence of a TR grade ≥3 was reduced from 94% (17 patients) before the procedure to 33% (six patients) at 30-day follow-up (p<0.001). Sixteen patients (89%) reported an improvement in NYHA functional class at 30 days.
Conclusions: Applying a modified steering technique, the edge-to-edge repair technique can be successfully used for the treatment of TR. At 30-day follow-up, the short-term durability of TR reduction appeared promising and the majority of patients improved clinically. Further studies with larger patient populations and longer follow-up have to define the role of this novel treatment option for patients with right-sided heart failure and severe TR.