Valeria Maria De Luca

Dr. Valeria Maria De Luca

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

2Years (2025-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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7 August 2025 in Journal of Clinical Medicine
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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MWMaddalena Widmann
Maddalena Widmann
RNRoberto Nerla
Roberto Nerla
FCFausto Castriota
Fausto Castriota
AFAndrea Fisicaro
Andrea Fisicaro
VLValeria Maria De Luca
Valeria Maria De Luca
ASAngelo Squeri
Angelo Squeri
Background: In recent years, multiple transcatheter devices have been developed for tricuspid valve intervention. The aim of this study was to evaluate acute tricuspid annular remodeling following percutaneous leaflet repair using a leaflet approximation device for the reduction of tricuspid regurgitation (TR). Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 26 consecutive patients treated at two centers. Tricuspid annular geometry was assessed using three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography during the procedure. Results: The mean age of the cohort was 79.3 years, and 88.5% were female. All patients had severe or greater TR pre-procedure, mostly due to annular dilation. The procedure was successful in all cases, with at least a one-grade reduction in TR observed prior to hospital discharge. Significant reductions were observed in the mean septal-lateral diameter (4.09 ± 0.44 cm vs. 3.54 ± 0.53 cm, p < 0.0001), mean major diameter (4.65 ± 0.63 cm vs. 4.28 ± 0.65 cm, p = 0.0002), planimetric area (14.00 ± 2.91 cm2 vs. 11.25 ± 2.91 cm2, p < 0.0001), and perimeter (13.62 ± 1.43 cm vs. 12.42 ± 1.62 cm, p < 0.0001) of the tricuspid annulus. Conclusions: In this small real-world cohort, transcatheter edge-to-edge repair was found to be both effective and safe. The use of a leaflet approximation device not only reduced TR severity but also led to significant reductions in annular dimensions. To our knowledge, this study provides additional evidence of acute tricuspid annulus remodeling following edge-to-edge repair, which may have significant therapeutic implications.

Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
VLValeria Maria De Luca
Valeria Maria De Luca
SCStefano Censi
Stefano Censi
RCRita Conti
Rita Conti
RNRoberto Nerla
Roberto Nerla
SBSara Bombace
Sara Bombace
ASAngelo Squeri
Angelo Squeri
Over the last ten years, transcatheter tricuspid valve interventions (TTVIs) have emerged as effective options for symptomatic patients with moderate-to-severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR) who are at prohibitive surgical risk. Successful application of these therapies depends on a patient-tailored, multimodal imaging workflow. Transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography remain the first-line diagnostic tools, rapidly stratifying TR severity, mechanism, and right ventricular function, and identifying cases requiring further evaluation. Cardiac computed tomography (CT) then provides anatomical detail—quantifying tricuspid annular dimension, leaflet tethering, coronary artery course, and venous access anatomy—to refine candidacy and simulate optimal device sizing and implantation angles. In patients with suboptimal echocardiographic windows or equivocal functional data, cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) offers gold-standard quantification of RV volumes, ejection fraction, regurgitant volume, and tissue characterization to detect fibrosis. Integration of echo-derived parameters, CT anatomical notes, and CMR functional assessment enables the heart team to better select patients, plan procedures, and determine the optimal timing, thereby maximizing procedural success and minimizing complications. This review describes the current strengths, limitations, and future directions of multimodality imaging in comprehensive evaluations of TTVI candidates.

25 September 2026 in Cardiovascular Medicine
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Journal Article
Open access
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VLValeria Maria De Luca
Valeria Maria De Luca
SCSalvatore Chianese
Salvatore Chianese
ASAngelo Squeri
Angelo Squeri
FCFausto Castriota
Fausto Castriota
FFFederico Fortuni
Federico Fortuni
SBSara Bombace
Sara Bombace
Aortic stenosis (AS) is increasingly recognized as a complex myocardial disease rather than an isolated valvular disorder. Emerging translational and clinical evidence suggests that diastolic dysfunction in AS is not merely an epiphenomenon of aging or comorbidity burden but develops early and may represent a central mechanistic link between valvular obstruction and heart failure. Chronic left ventricular pressure overload increases wall stress and myocardial oxygen demand, triggering a cascade of structural, metabolic, and microvascular alterations that culminate in left ventricular hypertrophy, interstitial fibrosis, impaired relaxation, and reduced ventricular compliance. The severity of diastolic dysfunction before aortic valve replacement significantly influences clinical outcomes. Persistent myocardial fibrosis and impaired diastolic reserve may remain despite successful valve intervention, helping explain why a substantial proportion of patients continue to experience heart failure symptoms after valve replacement. Despite its clinical relevance, diastolic dysfunction remains insufficiently integrated into current guideline-directed decision-making, raising the question of whether it should assume a more central role in determining the optimal timing of aortic valve replacement. Beyond correction of valvular obstruction alone, diastolic dysfunction may therefore represent both a marker of advanced myocardial remodeling and a potential therapeutic target in patients with AS.

25 September 2026 in Journal of Clinical Medicine
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
ASAngelo Squeri
Angelo Squeri
VLValeria Maria De Luca
Valeria Maria De Luca
SCStefano Censi
Stefano Censi
CPCarmine Pizzi
Carmine Pizzi
Luca BergamaschiLuca Bergamaschi
Luca Bergamaschi
RCRita Conti
Rita Conti
Mitral regurgitation is one of the most common valvular heart diseases and requires an accurate diagnostic approach to define its etiology, mechanism, severity, and therapeutic implications. This review analyzes the integrated role of the main cardiovascular imaging modalities in the assessment of mitral regurgitation. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) represents the first-line imaging modality, providing a dynamic assessment of valve anatomy, ventricular function, and hemodynamic consequences, whereas transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) provides complementary high-resolution anatomical characterization. Cardiac magnetic resonance provides accurate quantification of ventricular volumes, the regurgitant volume and fraction, and myocardial remodeling and is particularly useful when echocardiographic findings are inconclusive or discordant. Computed tomography, owing to its high spatial resolution, offers detailed information on the mitral apparatus, annulus, calcifications, and anatomical relationships, supporting the planning of surgical and transcatheter procedures. The integration of echocardiography, CMR, and CT enables more comprehensive risk stratification and personalized treatment selection. The review highlights how multimodality imaging is now essential for guiding the diagnostic and therapeutic pathway, improving intervention timing, the procedural choice, and the overall management of patients with mitral regurgitation.