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Evaluation of Tricuspid Valve Morphology and Function by Transthoracic Three-Dimensional Echocardiography

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Abstract

Tricuspid valve (TV) disease commonly occurs in combination with left-sided heart disease. Despite the growing enthusiasm for developing novel minimally invasive therapies for the mitral or aortic valve, the TV disease formerly received less attention and was frequently left untreated. Strong evidence has increased the awareness of the impact of severe TV regurgitation on patient survival, functional capacity, and surgical risk. Preoperative TV accurate description is challenging because, unlike left-sided valves, a complete visualization of tricuspid annulus and all three leaflets in one view is routinely impossible by two-dimensional transthoracic or transesophageal echocardiography. Three-dimensional echocardiography (3DE) with its unrestricted imaging capabilities has sparked significant research interest for a better understanding and improved treatment of valvular heart disease. This review summarizes the current status of 3DE for the assessment of TV morphology and function, with its clinical applications and current limitations, as well as its potential implications for designing TV repair techniques.

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Disclosure

Conflicts of interest: D. Muraru: has received a research grant from GE Healthcare; L.P. Badano: has received research grants and is on the speakers bureau for GE Healthcare; C. Sarais: none; E. Soldà: none; S. Iliceto: none.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences, University of Padua, Via Giustiniani 2, 35128, Padua, Italy

    Denisa Muraru, Luigi P. Badano, Cristiano Sarais, Elena Soldà & Sabino Iliceto

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  1. Denisa Muraru
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  2. Luigi P. Badano
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  3. Cristiano Sarais
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  4. Elena Soldà
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  5. Sabino Iliceto
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Correspondence to Luigi P. Badano.

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Muraru, D., Badano, L.P., Sarais, C. et al. Evaluation of Tricuspid Valve Morphology and Function by Transthoracic Three-Dimensional Echocardiography. Curr Cardiol Rep 13, 242–249 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11886-011-0176-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11886-011-0176-3

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