Incidence and predictors of the novo significant mitral and tricuspid regurgitation in patients with permanent atrial fibrillation

Abstract Introduction Atrial fibrillation (AF) is related to atrial remodeling and annular enlargement, which leads to functional mitral and tricuspid regurgitation. These two entities can derive in heart failure with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), the reason why it is becoming a rising concern in recent years. However, its incidence and predictors have not been well established. Purpose This study aimed to assess the incidence and predictors of significant atrial functional mitral and tricuspid regurgitation in patients with permanent AF. Methods The study population comprised 547 patients from a Spanish health area diagnosed with permanent AF between 2014 and 2019 (CardioCHUVI-AF registry; ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04364516). Individuals who presented with atrial enlargement at the diagnosis, primary moderate to severe valve disease, previous cardiac surgery (including valve replacement or repair), decreased LVEF, pulmonary hypertension, or right ventricular pacing that could interfere with tricuspid valve closure were excluded. The median age was 78.0 (IQ 70.4-85.6), and men represented 43% of the population (235 patients) compared to women, which represented 57% (312 patients). During a median follow-up of 3.5 years (IQ 2.03-4.95) we assessed the incidence of moderate to severe de novo mitral and tricuspid valve regurgitation and its predictors. Results The development of moderate to severe mitral and tricuspid valve regurgitation was higher after three years of diagnosis. The incidence of mitral regurgitation was 3.8 (3.0-4.9) per 100 persons/year. The incidence of tricuspid regurgitation was 5.5 (4.5-6.8) per 100 persons/year. In addition, multivariate analysis showed an association between the development of mitral regurgitation and older age (HR 1.05 [CI 95% 1.01-1.09]), female sex (HR 1.82 [CI 95% 1.1-3]) and prior admission for HF (HR 2.35 [CI 95% 1.18-4.7]). On the other hand, the development of tricuspid regurgitation did not show an association with age (HR 1.02 [CI 95% 0.97-1.05]), but it did with prior admission for HF (HR 2.11 [CI 95% 1.17-3.79]) and female sex (HR 2.17 [CI 95% 1.43-3.3]). Conclusion Permanent atrial fibrillation was associated with an increased risk of developing atrial functional mitral and tricuspid regurgitation, especially after three years of the diagnosis and in the female sex. Older age was associated with a higher incidence of mitral regurgitation. Prior admission for HF was associated with a higher incidence of tricuspid regurgitation. Based on the preceding, monitoring a specific profile of patients with atrial fibrillation may be especially important in preventing and early treating valve disease that can compromise their prognosis.Incidence of mitral regurgitationIncidence of tricuspid regurgitation