Refining the Detection of Systemic Congestion in Severe Tricuspid Regurgitation: Echocardiography May Be  the Key

A growing number of studies have shown the independent prognostic value of tricuspid regurgitation (TR) and the direct link between TR severity and adverse outcomes.1-4 However, TR not only affects prognosis but has also a negative impact on quality of life,5-7 decreasing functional capacity and increasing systemic congestion.7,8 The systolic blood backflow through the incompetent tricuspid valve reduces the forward stroke volume and cardiac output of the right ventricle (RV). Therefore, as TR worsens, pulmonary perfusion decreases, as does the venous return of oxygenated blood from the pulmonary circulation into the left atrium and left ventricle, with a detrimental effect on the functional capacity of these patients.

Source: Journal of the American Society of Echocardiography - September 22, 2023 Category: Cardiology Authors: Federico Fortuni, Nina Ajmone Marsan Tags: Editorial Source Type: research