Benefit of isolated surgical valve repair or replacement for functional tricuspid regurgitation and long-term outcomes stratified by the TRI-SCORE
Authors: Dreyfus Julien , Juarez-Casso Fernando , Sala Alessandra , Carnero-Alcazar Manuel , Eixerés-Esteve Andrea , Bohbot Yohann , Bazire Baptiste , Flagiello Michele , Riant Elisabeth , Mbaki Yannick , Tomasi Jacques , Senage Thomas , Rahmouni El Idrissi Kenza , Coisne Augustin , Eyharts Damien , Doguet Fabien , Viau Florence , Eggenspieler Florian , Heuts Samuel , Sardari Nia Peyman , Heitzinger Gregor , Galloo Xavier , Ajmone Marsan Nina , Benfari Giovanni , Badano Luigi , Muraru Denisa , Maisano Francesco , Topilsky Yan , Michelena Hector , Enriquez-Sarano Maurice , Bax Jeroen , Bartko Philipp , Selton-Suty Christine , Habib Gilbert , Lavie-Badie Yoan , Modine Thomas , Chan Vincent , Le Tourneau Thierry , Donal Erwan , Lim Pascal , Radu Costin , Bernick Jordan , Wells George A , Tribouilloy Christophe , Iung Bernard , Obadia Jean-François , De Bonis Michele , Crestanello Juan , Messika-Zeitoun David 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Background and Aims
Severe tricuspid regurgitation is associated with increased mortality rates, but benefit of its correction and ideal timing are not clearly determined. This study aimed to identify patient subsets who might benefit from the surgery.

Methods
In TRIGISTRY, an international cohort study of consecutive patients with severe isolated functional tricuspid regurgitation (33 centres, 10 countries), survival rates up to 10 years were compared between patients who underwent isolated tricuspid valve surgery (repair or replacement) and those conservatively managed, overall and according to TRI-SCORE category (low: ≤3, intermediate: 4–5, and high: ≥6).

Results
One thousand and two hundred seventeen were managed conservatively, and 551 underwent isolated tricuspid valve surgery (200 repairs and 351 replacements). TRI-SCORE distribution was 33% low, 32% intermediate, and 35% high. At 10 years, survival rates were similar between surgical and conservative management [41% vs. 36%; hazard ratio (HR) .97; 95% confidence interval (CI) .88–1.08, P = .57]. Surgery improved survival compared with conservative management in the low TRI-SCORE category (72% vs. 44%; HR .27; 95% CI .20–.37, P &lt; .0001), but not in the intermediate (36% vs. 37%; HR 1.17; 95%CI .98–1.40, P = .09) or high categories (20% vs. 24%; HR 1.06; 95% CI .91–1.25, P = .45). Both repair and replacement improved survival in the low TRI-SCORE category (84% and 61% vs. 44%; HR .11; 95% CI .06–.19, P &lt; .0001, and HR .65; 95% CI .47–.90, P = .009). Repair showed benefit in the intermediate category (59% vs. 37%; HR .49; 95% CI .35–.68, P &lt; .0001) while replacement was possibly harmful (25% vs. 37%; HR 1.43; 95% CI 1.18–1.72, P = .0002).

Conclusions
Higher survival rates were observed with repair than replacement and benefit of intervention declined as TRI-SCORE increased with no benefit of any type of surgery in the high TRI-SCORE category. These results emphasize the importance of timely intervention and patient selection to achieve the best outcomes and the need for randomized controlled trials.