Prognostic value and reversibility of liver stiffness in patients undergoing tricuspid annuloplasty

Abstract

Background Hepatic dysfunction was previously suggested to be related to poor outcome in patients undergoing tricuspid annuloplasty (TA), the predictive value of liver stiffness (LS) for adverse events is nonetheless uncertain. Purpose The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value and reversibility of LS in patients undergoing TA. Methods A total of 158 patients (age 63, male 35%) who underwent TA during left-sided valve surgery were prospectively evaluated. Transient elastography was used to assess LS. Patients were divided into three groups according to tertiles of LS. Adverse outcome was defined as heart failure requiring hospital admission or mortality. Results The median LS was 13.9 (8.1–22.3) kPa which independently correlates with tricuspid regurgitation severity (assessed by effective regurgitant orifice area), inferior vena cava diameter and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion. During a median follow-up of 31 months, 49 adverse events occurred. Multivariable Cox regression analysis demonstrated that LS was an independent predictor of adverse events. Furthermore, a higher LS tertile was predictive for adverse events (Hazard Ratio 4.19, P<0.01) even after adjusting for the other prognosticators. Kaplan-Meier curve showed that patients in the third tertile LS group had the highest percentage of adverse events followed by patients in the second tertile. Significant improvement of LS at 1-year post-TA was noted only in patients who had no adverse events but not in those who experienced heart failure. Conclusions The present study demonstrates that LS is predictive of adverse outcome in patients undergoing TA. These findings suggested that assessing LS, an integrative assessment of right heart condition, may aid the management of patients undergoing TA. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Public Institution(s). Main funding source(s): The Health and Medical Research Fund from the Food and Health Bureau, the Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.