To assess the progression of mitral regurgitation (MR) and tricuspid regurgitation (TR) in patients with and without atrial fibrillation (AF).
Approach:
Study Design: A total of 412 patients with and without AF from the Swiss-AF and BEAT-AF cohorts were studied between 2010 and 2023.
Echocardiographic Assessment: MR and TR severity were graded using the first and last available transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE).
Statistical Analysis: Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to examine the association between AF and progression of MR or TR.
Key Findings:
Incidence rates of any MR progression were 7.3 vs. 15.0 per 100 person-years in AF vs. non-AF patients, with clinically relevant progression rates of 3.3 vs. 3.9 per 100 person-years.
For TR, incidence rates were 9.9 vs. 8.9 per 100 person-years in AF vs. non-AF patients.
Interpretation:
AF was associated with higher rates of progression of TR severity, including clinically relevant progression, but not with MR progression.
Limitations:
The study only included patients from two specific cohorts in Switzerland, which may limit generalizability.
Exclusion of patients with previous mitral or tricuspid valve surgery may affect the results.
Conclusion:
AF is linked to increased progression rates of TR but not MR.
by Michael Koechlin, Rebecca E. Paladini, Stefanie Aeschbacher, Christine S. Zuern, Ivo Strebel, Michael Coslovsky, Matea Liskij, Ruben Kerler, Philipp Krisai, Leo H. Bonati, David Conen, Felix Mahfoud, Stefan Osswald, Michael Kühne, Beat A. Kaufmann
