title: Correlates of tricuspid regurgitation as determined by 3D echocardiography: pulmonary arterial pressure, ventricle geometry, annular dilatation, and papillary muscle displacement.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  While it is understood that annular dilatation contributes to tricuspid regurgitation (TR), other factors are less clear. The geometry of the right ventricle (RV) and left ventricle (LV) may alter tricuspid annulus size and papillary muscle (PM) positions leading to TR.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three-dimensional echocardiographic images were obtained at Emory University Hospital using a GE Vivid 7 ultrasound system. End-diastolic area was used to classify ventricle geometry: control (n=21), isolated RV dilatation (n=17), isolated LV dilatation (n=13), and both RV and LV dilatation (n=13). GE EchoPAC was used to measure annulus area and position of the PM tips. Patients with RV dilatation had significant (P≤ 0.05) displacement of all PMs apically and the septal PM and posterior PM away from the center of the RV toward the LV. Patients with LV dilatation had significant (P≤0.05) apical displacement of the anterior PM. Pulmonary arterial pressure (r=0.66), annulus area (r=0.51), apical displacement of the anterior PM (r=0.26), posterior PM (r=0.49), and septal PM (r=0.40), lateral displacement of the septal PM (r=0.37) and posterior PM (r=0.40), and tenting area and height (r=0.54, 0.49), were significantly (P≤0.05) correlated to the grade of TR. Ventricle classification (r=0.46) and RV end-diastolic area (r=0.48) also were correlated with the grade of TR. A regression analysis found ventricle classification (P=0.001), pulmonary arterial pressure (P≤0.001) annulus area (P=0.027), and apical displacement of the anterior PM (P=0.061) to be associated with the grade of TR.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Alterations in ventricular geometry can lead to TR by altering both tricuspid annulus size and PM position. Understanding these geometric interactions with the aim of correcting pathological alterations of the tricuspid valve apparatus may lead to more robust repairs.
authors: Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering and Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332-0535, USA.
authors: Erin M
authors: EM
authors: Spinner
authors: Stamatios
authors: S
authors: Lerakis
authors: Jason
authors: J
authors: Higginson
authors: Maria
authors: M
authors: Pernetz
authors: Sharon
authors: S
authors: Howell
authors: Emir
authors: E
authors: Veledar
authors: Ajit P
authors: AP
authors: Yoganathan
mesh_terms: D001794:Blood Pressure; D004108:Dilatation, Pathologic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D019560:Echocardiography, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010210:Papillary Muscles / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011651:Pulmonary Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014262:Tricuspid Valve Insufficiency / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*