In-depth Characterization of Atriogenic Secondary Tricuspid Regurgitation Due to Atrial Fibrillation

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Incidence of either moderate or severe functional tricuspid regurgitation

  To assess the prevalence of moderate or severe atriogenic secondary tricuspid regurgitation (STR) in patients with persistent/permanent atrial fibrillation (AF), and to develop valve-specific metrics and parameters to assess STR severity by echocardiography.

  1 year

• To identify the mechanisms leading to moderate/severe STR during AF.

  STR severity varies among patients with persistent/permanent AF and comparable RV and RA remodeling. The role of RV and RA size, shape, and function on the extent of tricuspid annulus dilation and dysfunction remains to be clarified. Moreover, it is unknown whether the leaflets of the tricuspid valve can adapt to the stretch exerted on them by the progressive dilation of the tricuspid annulus. The contribution of leaflet adaptation to the pathophysiology of STR and its molecular determinants remains to be clarified

  3 years

• To evaluate the extent of the right heart structure remodeling occurring after the recovery of the sinus rhythm and its effects on STR severity.

  Patients undergoing sustained cardioversion to sinus rhythm (both electrical and pharmacological) and/or ablation of AF, will be followed at 1, 3, and 12 months after the procedure by recording electrocardiogram and complete 2D Doppler and 3DE to assess the extent of the remodeling of the RV, the RA, and the tricuspid valve apparatus. Patients with atriogenic moderate/severe STR without clinical indication to either cardioversion or ablation of the AF, and patients with none/mild atriogenic STR will be followed with clinical assessment, and complete 2D, Doppler and 3DE at 6 months and 1 year. The severity of STR will be quantified by measuring EROA, regurgitant volume, and regurgitant fraction.

Conditions