Transcatheter Tricuspid Valve Interventions to Manage Tricuspid Regurgitation: A Narrative Review

Abstract

Medical devices for tricuspid regurgitation have emerged as viable treatment options for patients who do not respond to drug therapy or who are unsuitable for open-heart surgery due to high surgical risk. Recently, numerous new medical devices have been proposed and approved for use. Therefore, comprehensive reviews of the literature on the current medical devices for tricuspid regurgitation are necessary. This paper subsequently describes all medical devices used for transcatheter tricuspid valve interventions, providing an updated overview of the current options for managing tricuspid regurgitation, a common valvular heart disease associated with changes in the configuration and function of the tricuspid valve. Over 70 million people worldwide suffer from tricuspid regurgitation, with an estimated mortality rate of 0.51 deaths per 10,000 person-years. However, delays in diagnosis and treatment frequently contribute to disease progression. Meanwhile, the growing health and economic burden of tricuspid regurgitation has led to the urgent need for new therapeutic strategies to overcome the limitations of pharmacological and surgical approaches. In this scenario, transcatheter tricuspid valve interventions represent a promising option for patients with severe tricuspid regurgitation, considered inoperable due to excessive surgical risk. Medical devices designed for these innovative approaches are classified into two main groups: transcatheter tricuspid valve repair and replacement systems. This review presents the technological characteristics of medical devices and the results of studies on their clinical efficacy and safety, thereby supporting the use of transcatheter tricuspid valve repair/replacement systems in clinical practice.