Novel Right Ventricular Function Parameters can Identify Short-Term Nonresponders to Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair for Mitral Regurgitation

Abstract

Mitral regurgitation (MR) is a common valvular disease associated with poor prognosis. Percutaneous mitral valve repair (PMVR) combined with guideline-directed medical therapy has shown prognostic benefits, yet a substantial proportion of patients experience major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), including death and heart failure hospitalization, within the first year. Identifying short-term nonresponders remains a clinical priority. This study evaluated the prognostic value of advanced right ventricular (RV) function parameters in predicting MACE following PMVR using the MitraClip system. A total of 60 consecutive patients with symptomatic severe MR undergoing PMVR were analyzed. Echocardiographic assessments were performed at baseline, postprocedure before discharge, and at 6-month follow-up. Parameters included tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) normalized to pulmonary artery systolic pressure (TAPSE/PASP), right ventricular end-diastolic area (TAPSE/RVAD), and end-systolic area (TAPSE/RVAS), along with RV myocardial work indices. During the first year, 35% of patients experienced MACE. At baseline, those who developed MACE had significantly higher creatinine, troponin T, NT-proBNP levels, larger right heart dimensions, and lower TAPSE (all p <0.05), while other clinical, imaging, and procedural characteristics were similar. In multivariate analysis, TAPSE/PASP, TAPSE/RVAS, and TAPSE/RVAD were independent predictors of MACE (all p <0.05), with AUC values ranging from 0.80 to 0.85, indicating strong predictive capacity. Throughout follow-up, these indices remained significantly lower in patients with MACE, while RV myocardial work parameters had lower predictive accuracy (AUC<0.60). In conclusion, a comprehensive RV assessment, particularly TAPSE-based indices, can help identify patients at higher risk of adverse outcomes after PMVR, whereas RV myocardial work indices appear less reliable.