Atrial secondary tricuspid regurgitation (A-STR) is a distinct phenotype of secondary tricuspid regurgitation with predominant dilation of the right atrium and normal right and left ventricular function. Atrial secondary tricuspid regurgitation occurs most commonly in elderly women with atrial fibrillation and in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction in sinus rhythm. In A-STR, the main mechanism of leaflet malcoaptation is related to the presence of a significant dilation of the tricuspid annulus secondary to right atrial enlargement. In addition, there is an insufficient adaptive growth of tricuspid valve leaflets that become unable to cover the enlarged annular area. As opposed to the ventricular phenotype, in A-STR, the tricuspid valve leaflet tethering is typically trivial. The A-STR phenotype accounts for 10%–15% of clinically relevant tricuspid regurgitation and has better outcomes compared with the more prevalent ventricular phenotype. Recent data suggest that patients with A-STR may benefit from more aggressive rhythm control and timely valve interventions. However, little is mentioned in current guidelines on how to identify, evaluate, and manage these patients due to the lack of consistent evidence and variable definitions of this entity in recent investigations. This interdisciplinary expert opinion document focusing on A-STR is intended to help physicians understand this complex and rapidly evolving topic by reviewing its distinct pathophysiology, diagnosis, and multi-modality imaging characteristics. It first defines A-STR by proposing specific quantitative criteria for defining the atrial phenotype and for discriminating it from the ventricular phenotype, in order to facilitate standardization and consistency in research.

Severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is known to be associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. To study the acute outcomes of subjects treated by tricuspid transcatheter edge-to-edge repair with the TriClip system in a contemporary, real-world setting. The bRIGHT post-approval study is a prospective, single-arm, open-label, multicenter, post-market registry conducted at 26 sites in Europe. Echocardiographic assessment was performed at a core laboratory. Enrolled subjects were elderly (79 ± 7 years) with significant comorbidities. Eighty-eight percent had baseline massive or torrential TR and 80% percent of subjects were in NYHA class III or IV. Successful device implantation occurred in 99% of subjects and TR was reduced to ≤moderate at 30 days in 77%. Associated significant improvements in NYHA class (20% to 79% I/II, p < 0.0001) and KCCQ score (19 ± 23 points improvement, p < 0.0001) were observed at 30 days. With baseline TR grade removed as a variable, smaller RAV and smaller tethering distance at baseline were independent predictors of TR reduction to ≤ moderate at discharge (OR:0.679, CI: [0.537, 0.858], p = 0.0012; OR: 0.722, CI: [0.564, 0.924], p=0.0097). Fourteen (2.5%) subjects experienced a major adverse event at 30 days. Transcatheter tricuspid valve repair was found to be safe and effective in treating significant TR in a diverse, real-world population.

The fourth-generation mitral transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (M-TEER) device introduced an improved clip deployment sequence, independent leaflet grasping, and 2 wider clip sizes to tailor the treatment of patients with mitral regurgitation (MR) for a broad range of anatomies. The 30-day safety and effectiveness of the fourth-generation M-TEER device were previously demonstrated. The aim of this study was to evaluate 1-year outcomes in a contemporary, real-world cohort of subjects treated with the MitraClip G4 system. EXPAND G4 is an ongoing prospective, multicenter, international, single-arm study that enrolled subjects with primary and secondary MR. One-year outcomes included MR severity (echocardiographic core laboratory assessed), heart failure hospitalization, all-cause mortality, functional capacity (NYHA functional class), and quality of life (Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire). A total of 1,164 subjects underwent M-TEER from 2020 to 2022. At 1 year, there was a durable reduction in MR to mild or less in 92.6% and to none or trace in 44.2% (P < 0.0001 vs baseline). Few subjects had major adverse events through 1 year (<2% for myocardial infarction, surgical reintervention, or single-leaflet device attachment). The 1-year Kaplan-Meier estimates for all-cause mortality and heart failure hospitalization were 12.3% and 16.9%. Significant improvements in functional capacity (NYHA functional class I or II in 82%; P < 0.0001 vs baseline) and quality of life (18.5-point Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire overall summary score improvement; P < 0.0001) were observed. M-TEER with the fourth-generation M-TEER device was safe and effective at 1 year, with durable reductions in MR severity to ≤1+ in more than 90% of patients and concomitant improvements in functional status and quality of life.

Secondary (or functional) mitral regurgitation (SMR) occurs frequently in chronic heart failure (HF) with reduced left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction, resulting from LV remodelling that prevents coaptation of the valve leaflets. Secondary mitral regurgitation contributes to progression of the symptoms and signs of HF and confers worse prognosis. The management of HF patients with SMR is complex and requires timely referral to a multidisciplinary Heart Team. Optimization of pharmacological and device therapy according to guideline recommendations is crucial. Further management requires careful clinical and imaging assessment, addressing the anatomical and functional features of the mitral valve and left ventricle, overall HF status, and relevant comorbidities. Evidence concerning surgical correction of SMR is sparse and it is doubtful whether this approach improves prognosis. Transcatheter repair has emerged as a promising alternative, but the conflicting results of current randomized trials require careful interpretation. This collaborative position statement, developed by four key associations of the European Society of Cardiology—the Heart Failure Association (HFA), European Association of Percutaneous Cardiovascular Interventions (EAPCI), European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging (EACVI), and European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA)—presents an updated practical approach to the evaluation and management of patients with HF and SMR based upon a Heart Team approach.