Morphological changes of the tricuspid valve complex in functional tricuspid regurgitation on contrast-enhanced computed tomography

Abstract

Abstract Background Whether it is possible to perform morphological evaluation of functional tricuspid regurgitation (FTR) on contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) was examined by evaluating the relationships between the parameters measured on contrast-enhanced CT and TR severity on transthoracic echocardiography. Methods Fifty patients underwent contrast-enhanced CT. Tricuspid annulus area (TAA), tricuspid annulus circumference (TAC), right ventricular volume (RVV), and the distances between the tips and bases of the papillary muscles were measured on contrast-enhanced CT in diastole and systole. The 50 cases were divided into 34 in the TR ≤ mild group (no TR: 3 cases, trivial TR: 24 cases, mild TR: 7 cases), and 16 in the TR ≥ moderate group (moderate TR: 8 cases, severe TR: 8 cases) using the TR grade measured by transthoracic echocardiography, and then differences between the groups were examined. Results Significant differences were found in TAA, TAC, and RVV (p 0.7, and the maximum AUC was 0.925 for dRVV. Conclusions TAA, TAC, RVV, and the distance between the tips of the anterior and posterior papillary muscles measured on contrast-enhanced CT were shown to be significantly increased in the TR ≥ moderate group. Detailed morphological assessment of FTR is possible by contrast-enhanced CT.

Keywords

• Functional tricuspid regurgitation
• Contrast-enhanced computed tomography
• Tricuspid annulus area
• Tricuspid annulus circumference
• Right ventricular volume
• Distance between papillary muscles