Tricuspid regurgitation secondary to heart failure (HF) is common with considerable impact on survival and hospitalization rates. Currently, insights into epidemiology, impact, and treatment of secondary tricuspid regurgitation (sTR) across the entire HF spectrum are lacking, yet are necessary for healthcare decision-making.

Background Secondary tricuspid regurgitation (sTR) is the most frequent valvular heart disease and has significant impact on mortality. A high burden of comorbidities often worsens the already dismal prognosis of sTR, while tricuspid interventions remain underused and initiated too late. Objectives To examine the most powerful predictors of all-cause mortality in moderate and severe sTR using machine learning techniques and to provide a streamlined approach to risk-stratification using readily available clinical, echocardiographic and laboratory parameters. Methods This large-scale, long-term observational study included 3359 moderate and 1509 severe sTR patients encompassing the entire heart failure spectrum (preserved, mid-range and reduced ejection fraction). A random survival forest was applied to investigate the most important predictors and group patients according to their number of adverse features (Figure 1). Results The identified predictors and thresholds, that were associated with significantly worse mortality were higher age (≥75 in moderate and ≥70 years in moderate and severe sTR respectively), higher NT-proBNP (≥4000 pg/ml), increased high sensitivity C-reactive protein (≥1.0 mg/dl), serum albumin <40 g/L and hemoglobin <13 g/dL. Additionally, grouping patients according to the number of adverse features yielded important prognostic information, as patients with 4 or 5 adverse features had a sevenfold risk increase in moderate sTR (7.11 [2.27–4.30] HR 95% CI, P<0.001) and fivefold risk increase in severe sTR (5.08 [3.13–8.24] HR 95% CI, P<0.001) (Figure 2: A moderate sTR derivation, B moderate sTR validation, C severe sTR derivation, D severe sTR validation). Conclusion This study presents a streamlined, machine learning-derived and internally validated approach to risk-stratification in patients with moderate and severe sTR, that adds important prognostic information to aid clinical decision-making. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): Austrian Science Fund

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has established itself as a safe and efficient treatment option in patients with severe aortic valve stenosis, regardless of the underlying surgical risk. Widespread adoption of transfemoral procedures led to more patients than ever being eligible for TAVR. This increase in procedural volumes has also stimulated the use of vascular closure devices (VCDs) for improved access site management. In a single-center examination, we investigated 871 patients that underwent transfemoral TAVR from 2010 to 2020 and assessed vascular complications according to the Valve Academic Research Consortium (VARC) III recommendations. Patients were grouped by the VCD and both, vascular closure success and need for intervention were analyzed. In case of a vascular complication, the type of intervention was investigated for all VCDs. The Proglide VCD was the most frequently used device (n = 670), followed by the Prostar device (n = 112). Patients were old (median age 83 years) and patients suffered from high comorbidity burden (60% coronary artery disease, 30% type II diabetes, 40% atrial fibrillation). The overall rate of major complications amounted to 4.6%, it was highest in the Prostar group (9.6%) and lowest in the Manta VCD group (1.1% p = 0.019). The most frequent vascular complications were bleeding and hematoma (n = 110, 13%). In case a complication occurred, 72% of patients did not need any further intervention other than manual compression or pressure bandages. The rate of surgical intervention after complication was highest in the Prostar group (n = 15, 29%, p = 0.001). Temporal trends in VCD usage highlight the rapid adoption of the Proglide system after introduction at our institution. In recent years VCD alternatives, utilizing other closure techniques, such as the Manta device emerged and increased vascular access site management options. This 10-year single-center experience demonstrates high success rates for all VCDs. Despite successful closure, a significant number of patients does experience minor vascular complications, in particular bleeding and hematoma. However, most complications do not require surgical or endovascular intervention. Temporal trends display a marked increase in TAVR procedures and highlight the need for more refined vascular access management strategies.

Aims Secondary tricuspid regurgitation (sTR) is the most frequent valvular heart disease and has a significant impact on mortality. A high burden of comorbidities often worsens the already dismal prognosis of sTR, while tricuspid interventions remain underused and initiated too late. The aim was to examine the most powerful predictors of all-cause mortality in moderate and severe sTR using machine learning techniques and to provide a streamlined approach to risk-stratification using readily available clinical, echocardiographic and laboratory parameters. Methods and results This large-scale, long-term observational study included 3359 moderate and 1509 severe sTR patients encompassing the entire heart failure spectrum (preserved, mid-range and reduced ejection fraction). A random survival forest was applied to investigate the most important predictors and group patients according to their number of adverse features. The identified predictors and thresholds, that were associated with significantly worse mortality were lower glomerular filtration rate (<60 mL/min/1.73m2), higher NT-proBNP, increased high sensitivity C-reactive protein, serum albumin < 40 g/L and hemoglobin < 13 g/dL. Additionally, grouping patients according to the number of adverse features yielded important prognostic information, as patients with 4 or 5 adverse features had a fourfold risk increase in moderate sTR [4.81(3.56–6.50) HR 95%CI, P < 0.001] and fivefold risk increase in severe sTR [5.33 (3.28–8.66) HR 95%CI, P < 0.001]. Conclusion This study presents a streamlined, machine learning-derived and internally validated approach to risk-stratification in patients with moderate and severe sTR, that adds important prognostic information to aid clinical-decision-making.

Background. Transcatheter edge-to-edge mitral valve repair (TMVR) is increasingly performed. However, its efficacy in comparison with surgical MV treatment (SMV) is unknown. Methods. Consecutive patients with severe mitral regurgitation (MR) undergoing TMVR (68% functional, 32% degenerative) or SMV (9% functional, 91% degenerative) were enrolled. To account for differences in baseline characteristics, propensity score matching was performed, including age, EuroSCORE-II, left ventricular ejection fraction, and NT-proBNP. A composite of heart failure (HF) hospitalization/death served as primary endpoint. Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox-regression analyses were used to investigate associations between baseline, imaging, and procedural parameters and outcome. Results. Between July 2017 and April 2020, 245 patients were enrolled, of whom 102 patients could be adequately matched (73 y/o, 61% females, EuroSCORE-II: 5.7%, p > 0.05 for all). Despite matching, TMVR patients had more co-morbidities at baseline (higher rates of prior myocardial infarction, coronary revascularization, pacemakers/defibrillators, and diabetes mellitus, p < 0.009 for all). Patients were followed for 28.3 ± 27.2 months, during which 27 events (17 deaths, 10 HF hospitalizations) occurred. Postprocedural MR reduction (MR grade <2: TMVR vs. SMV: 88% vs. 94%, p = 0.487) and freedom from HF hospitalization/death (log-rank: p = 0.811) were similar at 2 years. On multivariable Cox analysis, EuroSCORE-II (adj.HR 1.07 [95%CI: 1.00–1.13], p = 0.027) and residual MR (adj.HR 1.85 [95%CI: 1.17–2.92], p = 0.009) remained significantly associated with outcome. Conclusions. In this propensity-matched, all-comers cohort, two-year outcomes after TMVR versus SMV were similar. Given the reported favorable long-term durability of TMVR, the interventional approach emerges as a valuable alternative for a substantial number of patients with functional and degenerative MR.