Unmasking pulmonary hypertension following tricuspid valve replacement

Echocardiography. 2021 Jan;38(1):151-154. doi: 10.1111/echo.14945. Epub 2020 Dec 10.

Abstract

In this Viewpoint, we highlight a possible hemodynamic problem arising following tricuspid valve replacement (TVR) in patients with severe chronic tricuspid regurgitation, represented by "unmasking" of pulmonary hypertension (PH) following the surgery. We share an observation that should alert cardiologists to the fact that this increasingly utilized surgery is not risk free, and careful assessment of the right ventricular function and pulmonary circulation preoperatively is extremely important, especially in patients with preexisting risk factors for PH, since TVR may lead to a sudden increase in right ventricular afterload.

Keywords: hemodynamics; pulmonary hypertension; tricuspid valve; valve replacement.

MeSH terms

  • Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation* / adverse effects
  • Humans
  • Hypertension, Pulmonary* / etiology
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Tricuspid Valve / diagnostic imaging
  • Tricuspid Valve / surgery
  • Tricuspid Valve Insufficiency* / diagnostic imaging
  • Tricuspid Valve Insufficiency* / etiology
  • Tricuspid Valve Insufficiency* / surgery