New Insights in the Treatment of Tricuspid Regurgitation

For decades, tricuspid valve has been renamed “the forgotten valve” because of the few possibilities of treatment in this peculiar population of patients. In the past, patients with severe tricuspid regurgitation have been managed with only medical therapy. This conservative approach, however, has several limitations and results in a progressive worsening of the right ventricular function as well as in a progressive decline of both renal and liver function.

Recently, tricuspid regurgitation has gained importance and several new percutaneous options are becoming available. Recent evidences suggest that the successful treatment of tricuspid regurgitation using new percutaneous devices can mitigate symptoms, reducing hospitalization and improving quality of life.

The aim of this special issue is to give a focus on the new era of percutaneous devices available for the treatment of tricuspid regurgitation. The special issue will specifically start discussing the epidemiology, the clinical importance of significant tricuspid regurgitation and the imaging. A section will be dedicated to surgery with a special interest on the minimally invasive approaches that can mitigate the high rate of mortality observed in this population. Another topic will discuss the correct identification of patients that will mostly benefit from a percutaneous treatment of tricuspid. Moreover, a detailed description of new available devices will be addressed.