Ratio between right ventricular longitudinal strain and pulmonary arterial systolic pressure: A novel prognostic parameter in patients with severe tricuspid regurgitation.

Background: In terms of pathophysiology, tricuspid regurgitation (TR), right ventricular function and pulmonary artery pressure are linked to each other. Our aim was to analyze whether the echocardiography-derived right ventricular free wall longitudinal strain/pulmonary artery systolic pressures (RVFWLS/PASP) ratio can improve risk stratification in patients with severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR).
Methods: In this single-center retrospective study, 250 consecutive patients with severe TR were enrolled from December 2015 to December 2018. Baseline clinical and echocardiographic parameters were collected. Echocardiography-derived TAPSE/PASP and RVFWLS/PASP were evaluated. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality.
Results: Out of 250 consecutive patients, 171 meet inclusion criteria. Patients were predominantly female, with several cardiovascular risk factors and comorbidities. RVFWLS/PASP ≤0.34%/mmHg (AUC 0.68, p < 0.001, sensitivity 70%, specificity 67%) was associated with baseline clinical RV heart failure (p = 0.03). After univariate and multivariate analyses, RVFWLS/PASP, but not TAPSE/PASP, independently correlated with all-cause mortality (HR 0.004, p = 0.02). Patients with RVFWLS/PASP >0.26%/mmHg (AUC 0.74, p < 0.001, sensitivity 77%, specificity 52%) showed higher survival rates (p = 0.02). In addition at 24 months follow-up, the Kaplan-Meyer curves showed patients with RVFWLS >14% & RVFWLS/PASP >0.26%/mmHg had the best survival rate compared to patients without.
Conclusion: RVFWLS/PASP is independently associated with baseline RV heart failure and poor long-term prognosis in patients with severe TR.
Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest None. This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors. Each author takes responsibility for all aspects of the reliability and freedom from bias of the data presented and their discussed interpretation.
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