Background: The mismatch between tricuspid valve (TV) leaflet length and annulus dilation, assessed with the septal–lateral leaflet-to-annulus index (SL-LAI), predicts residual tricuspid regurgitation (TR) following tricuspid transcatheter edge-to-edge-repair (T-TEER). When posterior leaflet grasping is required, the anterior–posterior leaflet-to-annulus index (AP-LAI) may offer additional information. Methods: This single-center retrospective cohort study included all patients referred for T-TEER with severe and symptomatic TR with high surgical risk from April 2021 to March 2024. Patients were categorized into ‘optimal result’ (<moderate TR) or ‘suboptimal result’ (≥moderate TR) groups. The SL-LAI and AP-LAI were calculated using pre-procedural transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) measurements. Results: Of the 25 patients, 12 had suboptimal post-procedural results, while 13 showed optimal outcomes. The optimal result group showed a higher prevalence of type IIIA-IIIB TV morphology (85% vs. 45%, p < 0.05), a wider SL annulus diameter (42.5 ± 5 vs. 37 ± 5 mm, p < 0.05), and a longer posterior leaflet length (28 ± 4 vs. 22 ± 5 mm, p < 0.01). The SL-LAI was lower in the optimal group (1 ± 0.2 vs. 1.2 ± 0.32, p < 0.05), while the AP-LAI was higher (0.7 ± 0.1 vs. 0.5 ± 0.2, p < 0.05). ROC curve analysis showed that the AUC for the AP-LAI was 0.769 (95% CI 0.51–0.93, p < 0.05) and Youden test identified the best cut-off value <0.5 (sensitivity 50% and specificity 100%) for a suboptimal result. The SL-LAI showed a very low AUC in predicting suboptimal results (0.245, 95% CI 0.08–0.47). Comparing the two ROC curves, we showed that AUC difference is significant with the AP-LAI showing the best association with the outcome (p = 0.01). Conclusions: The AP-LAI and SL-LAI can help in predicting post T-TEER results, ameliorating patients’ outcomes and avoiding futile procedures.

Background: Transcatheter treatments for structural heart disease, including edge-to-edge mitral valve repair (mTEER), heavily rely on transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE) for pre-procedural assessment and guidance. Trans-septal puncture (TSP) is one of the first key steps of such procedures, with two-dimensional (2D) TOE often providing suboptimal imaging. Three-dimensional (3D) echocardiography could overcome the limitations of 2D TOE and improve the assessment of tenting height. Methods: This single-centre, retrospective study included 64 patients who underwent mTEER between October 2023 and April 2024. Tenting height during TSP was assessed by 2D TOE in mid-oesophageal (ME) four-chamber view and by 3D TOE after the acquisition of a 3D volume, including the interatrial septum, aortic valve, and mitral valve, and subsequent multiplanar reconstruction (MPR). A total of 100 TSP attempts with 2D and 3D TOE were evaluated. Results: Procedural success was obtained in 92.2% of cases. There was a statistically significant difference between 2D and 3D measurements (2D: 4.36 ± 0.61 cm, MPR: 4.59 ± 0.63 mm², p < 0.001), despite good correlation (r = 0.880, p < 0.001). The difference between 2D and 3D tenting height measurements differed significantly between patients with optimal and suboptimal 2D image windows (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in septal puncture success between optimal 2D and 3D data (p = 0.942). Conclusions: Adopting 3D TOE with multiplanar reconstruction for assessing tenting height in mTEER procedures offers significant advantages over traditional 2D TOE. Enhanced visualization, accuracy, and potential for standardization improve procedural outcomes and patient safety, making 3D TOE integration into routine practice highly beneficial and recommended.

Background: In patients with significant mitral regurgitation (MR) undergoing transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (M-TEER), assessment of mitral valve (MV) anatomy is essential. While transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is the initial diagnostic tool, transesophageal echocardiography (TOE) provides better anatomical details. The study aims to assess whether TTE is as effective as TOE in selecting patients with severe MR who are eligible for M-TEER. Methods: From January to December 2024, patients with severe MR eligible for TEER were enrolled at the Fondazione Monasterio Heart Hospital, Italy. They underwent a comprehensive TTE and TOE examination. Cardiologists assessed the severity of MR and valve anatomy using specific protocols. Measurements included MV area, MV gradient, posterior leaflet length, fossa ovalis high, presence of fails, clefts, and calcifications. Three levels of anatomic complexity were defined to determine eligibility for TEER. Results: The study includes 40 patients with severe MR. The correlation between TTE and TOE for key parameters was strong, with coefficients ranging from 0.734 to 0.901, indicating high agreement between the two methods. The comparison of categorical features showed high agreement between TTE and TOE in detecting critical MV conditions, with kappa values ranging from 0.717 to 0.930. The agreement for classifying patients as suitable for M-TEER was 87.5%, indicating moderate consistency between the two methods. Conclusions: TTE may be a viable alternative to TOE for assessing MV anatomy and function before M-TEER in MR patients, especially in high-volume centers. While TTE strongly correlated with TOE for most parameters, TOE was superior for some features. Further research is needed to refine the clinical application of TTE and to define patient selection criteria for its use as the primary imaging modality for pre-procedural M-TEER screening.

Background: Pharmacologic therapy guided by invasive coronary function tests (CFTs) may improve symptomatic outcomes in patients with angina and non-obstructive coronary artery disease (ANOCA). In this study, we specifically aimed to investigate whether the induction of coronary microvascular spasm (CMVS) by the acetylcholine (Ach) test predicts a better therapeutic effect of calcium-channel blocker therapy compared to beta-blocker therapy. Methods: We enrolled 31 ANOCA patients, who were divided into two groups according to the result of Ach testing: 16 patients with CMVS (CMVS group) and 15 patients with a negative test (NEG group). Patients with Ach-induced epicardial spasm were excluded. In an open-label crossover trial, patients were randomly assigned to each receive, for a period of 4 weeks, either metoprolol (50 mg twice daily) or diltiazem (120 mg twice daily). At the end of each 4-week period, patients underwent an ECG–exercise stress test (EST) and were invited to fill out the Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ). Results: No significant differences were found between metoprolol and diltiazem in terms of SAQ scores, and ECG-EST results were also largely comparable with the two drug treatments, both in the CMVS group and the NEG group. In particular, the SAQ summary score was 63.1 ± 24 and 66.0 ± 25 (p = 0.59) for metoprolol and diltiazem, respectively, in the CMVS group, and 70.9 ± 17 and 74.3 ± 16 (p = 0.37) with the two drugs, respectively, in the NEG group. Conclusions: Our small open-label study shows that patients with ANOCA with negative Ach test or Ach-induced CMVS show largely comparable short-term symptomatic outcomes and ECG-EST results when treated with either metoprolol or diltiazem.

Transcatheter mitral valve interventions including transcatheter edge-to-edge repair and transcatheter mitral valve replacement have emerged as vital therapies for secondary mitral regurgitation (SMR) in patients at high or prohibitive surgical risk. Advanced multimodality imaging is central to patient selection, procedural guidance, and outcome assessment. This review delineates the roles of echocardiography (transthoracic and transesophageal), cardiac computed tomography, and cardiac magnetic resonance in structural valve clinical trials. We examine the imaging criteria used for patient selection in current transcatheter mitral valve intervention trials for SMR, as well as the key imaging findings following device implantation. Important lessons from advanced imaging in these trials include: (1) atrial and ventricular SMR (A-SMR and V-SMR) represent distinct disease morphologies that have led to divergent management recommendations; (2) the results of V-SMR trials can be explained by differences in regurgitant severity relative to left ventricular size; (3) numerous exclusionary anatomic considerations for transcatheter mitral valve replacement have limited trial enrollment and clinical applicability; (4) immediate postdevice imaging parameters predict outcomes; and (5) surrogate imaging end points at follow-up are associated with clinical outcomes.