Right Ventricular Remodeling Determines Tricuspid Valve Geometry and the Severity of Functional Tricuspid Regurgitation: A Real-Time 3-Dimensional Echocardiography Study

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Right ventricle (RV) remodeling can determine tricuspid valve (TV) geometry and the severity of functional tricuspid regurgitation (TR). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In 53 patients with various degrees of functional TR and in sinus rhythm, RV and TV geometries were analyzed using real-time 3-dimensional echocardiography, including tenting angles of 3 leaflets, septal-lateral and antero-posterior tricuspid annulus diameters and inlet RV dimensions, mid-RV septal-lateral dimension, and the distance between annulus and apex. A mid-systole frame when the TV tenting is smallest was selected for the analysis. RV end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes were measured. The severity of functional TR was determined by distal jet area. RESULTS: TR distal jet area was mainly determined by septal-lateral annulus diameter (p<0.001) RV inlet dimension (p=0.015), RV end-systolic volume (p=0.010), septal (p=0.019), and anterior leaflet tenting angles (p=0.045) by multiple stepwise linear regression analysis. Leaflet tenting angles were mainly determined by septal-lateral RV inlet dimension. Septal-lateral annulus diameter was determined by septal-lateral RV inlet dimension (p<0.001) and mid RV dimension (p=0.033), whereas antero-posterior annulus diameter was determined by antero-posterior RV inlet dimension (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Functional TR severity is determined by septal-lateral annulus and RV dilation, and tenting of septal and anterior leaflets. TV leaflet tenting is mainly determined by septal-lateral RV inlet dilation, and tricuspid annulus dilation is closely linked with inlet RV dilation.