MitraClip has been well established for treatment of severe mitral regurgitation (MR). MR and tricuspid regurgitation (TR) often occur simultaneously and symptoms of biventricular heart failure can overlap. While it has been shown that TR grade regression can be achieved through repair of MR¹, presence of moderate to severe TR can increase all-cause mortality after MitraClip². There is currently no consensus on the management of combined MR and TR. We evaluated the impact of TR on echocardiographic and functional outcome after MitraClip. 

 

370 patients underwent MitraClip for moderate to severe MR at our center from 2010 to 2018.  Patients were dichotomized into low grade TR (grade <I - I (trace - mild)) and high grade TR (grade III - V (severe - torrential)). Moderate TR (grade II) was excluded. After MitraClip for MR, patients were followed up for 12 months and their echocardiographic and functional outcome was evaluated. Use of diuretic drugs throughout 12 month follow-up was registered.

 

Results: 

Low grade TR (<I - I) occurred in 225 patients (67.0%), high grade TR (III - V) was present in 111 patients (33.0%). 34 patients (9.2%) with moderate TR (II) were excluded. Patients with high grade TR had an increased morbidity (higher age, worse renal function, higher prevalence of atrial fibrillation, higher levels of natriuretic peptides, increased left atrial and right heart diameters, higher TR gradient). These patients also received significantly higher doses of torasemid (33.5±36.7 mg vs. 21.6±20.9 mg, p=0.003) and furosemid (163.4±155.5 mg vs. 75.8±72.3 mg, p=0.01). Average grade of MR at baseline was similar in both groups (2.9±0.46 vs. 2.8±0.5, p=0.66). 

Procedural success of MR repair was achieved similarly in both groups (96.4% vs. 96.9%, p=0.82) and residual MR grade immediately after device implantation was comparable (p=0.61). However, recurrent MR in the high grade TR group increased during follow up, while MR further decreased in the low grade TR group (3 months: 1.24±0.7 vs. 1.16±0.7, p=0.5; 12 months: 1.46±0.93 vs. 1.12±0.61, p=0.04). Accordingly, use of diuretic drugs after 12 months rose in the high grade TR group while it did not change or even decreased in the low grade TR group (torasemid: 40.2±48.4 mg vs. 24.1±30.0 mg, p=0.04; furosemid: 197.5±251.0 mg vs. 67.1±81.8 mg, p=0.22).

Kaplan-Meier-Analysis showed significantly higher mortality (24.9 vs. 14.1%, p=0.01), higher risk for heart failure induced rehospitalisation (25,4 vs. 12,5%, p=0.005) and for major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE: 42.3 vs. 29.1%, p=0.008) in the high grade TR group after 12 months.

 

MitraClip patients for MR with concomitant high grade TR (≥ III) had an increased morbidity at baseline compared to low grade TR patients. By MitraClip comparable reduction of MR was achieved. However, during 12 month follow-up in the high grade TR group recurrent MR occurred more often while use of diuretics increased.