842 prevalence and mechanisms of severe mitral and tricuspid recurgitation in a heart failure outpatients population

Abstract Introduction Mitral regurgitation (MR) and tricuspid regurgitation (TR) are an established cause of morbidity and mortality in heart failure (HF) patients. The development of successful transcatheter therapies for mitral and tricuspid diseases have opened new therapeutic opportunities, in addition to guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) for HF. However, an accurate evaluation of the mechanisms of valve regurgitation is key to tailor the best treatment for each patient. This study aims at evaluating the prevalence and underlying mechanisms of at least moderate-to-severe (≥3+/4+) MR and/or TR in a cohort of HF outpatients. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 1260 outpatients evaluated by our HF Unit between January 2020 and June 2021. All patients with echocardiographic evidence of at least moderate-to-severe MR and/or TR were included in the registry and a thorough review of echocardiographic images and collection of clinical data were also performed. Results Of the 1260 analyzed patients, 173 (13.7%) presented with at least moderate-to-severe MR and/or TR and were included in the registry. The mean age was 80±7 years and median ejection fraction was 45% (IQR 33; 55%) and 77 (45%) had HF of ischemic etiology. All patients were treated with maximal tolerated doses of GDMT and, when appropriate, with devices and myocardial revascularization. At least moderate-to-severe MR and TR was observed in 7.3% (92/1260) and 9.3% (117/1260) patients, respectively. Patients with significant isolated MR were 56 (4.4%), with isolated TR were 81 (6.4%), while with both significant MR and TR were 36 (2.8%). Among patients with significant MR, 54% (50/92) had functional valvular defect, of whom 82% (41/50) had a ventricular etiology (18/41 with asymmetric tethering), while the 18%(9/50) an atrial one (3/9 with atriogenic tethering). Among patients with significant TR, 72.6% (85/117) had functional valvular defect, of whom 35.3% (30/85) had a ventricular etiology while 64.7% (55/85) presented with an atrial one. Conclusion Despite optimized GDMT, the prevalence of patients presenting with significant MR and TR was considerably high in our ambulatory HF population. This registry is the first study to comprehensively detail the mechanisms of atrioventricular valve regurgitations in a wide cohort of HF outpatients. Further studies are needed to assess the reasons for a potential undertreatment and to identify the patients who would benefit the most from the percutaneous correction of their valvular defects.