Impact of tricuspid valve regurgitation in patients treated with implantable left ventricular assist devices.

Background: The progression of tricuspid valve regurgitation (TR) and the impact of preoperative TR on postoperative outcomes in patients having left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation has not been studied.

Methods: One hundred seventy-six consecutive implantable LVAD procedures were retrospectively reviewed. A total of 137 patients comprised the final study group with complete preimplant characteristics, before and after echocardiogram assessment of TR, and outcomes data.