Tricuspid regurgitation impact on outcomes (TRIO) score: an evaluation tool for patients undergoing tricuspid valve surgery?

Abstract Background Isolated tricuspid regurgitation (TR) repair or replacement carries significant operative mortality risk mainly due to delayed referral. We have recently developed the Tricuspid Regurgitation Impact on Outcomes (TRIO) score to assess risk in TR based on 8 simple variables (age, sex, severe TR, creatinine>2 mg/dl, history of heart failure, history of chronic lung disease, AST >40 units/L, heart rate >90). Whether this score can be used in assessment of TR surgical risk and long term outcome is unknown. Purpose To examine the impact of TRIO scores on the postoperative outcomes of isolated tricuspid valve surgery. Methods Adult patients with severe functional TR who underwent isolated tricuspid valve replacement or repair between 2000-2022 were identified. Postoperative outcomes were compared across low (0-3), intermediate (4-6), and high (7-12) TRIO risk score groups. Results 177 patients were included. Mean age was 70.7 ± 12.2 years, 69 (39%) were male, 34 (19%) were low TRIO score, 111 (63%) intermediate score and 32 (18%) high score. Tricuspid repair was performed in 43 (24.3%) and valve replacement in 134 (75.7%), reflecting the advanced disease stages of this patient cohort. At short term, higher TRIO scores were associated with more frequent need for urgent surgery, prolonged ventilation (>72h) and postoperative dialysis (p<0.05 for all). Perioperative 30-day mortality increased with the TRIO risk score (low: 0%; intermediate: 4.5%; high: 9.4%) but differences did not reach statistical significance (p=0.187). Low risk patients had a shorter hospital and ICU stay (Figure 1A-B). During a mean follow-up of 5.2 ± 3.2 years, 98 (55.4%) patients died. At long term follow-up, lower TRIO scores were associated with improved survival after tricuspid surgery (Figure 1C). Conclusions Patients with higher TRIO scores have more postoperative complications, require longer hospital stay and have higher all-cause mortality at long-term follow-up. Our findings suggest that TRIO score may also be used for risk stratification in patients considered for surgical management of isolated functional TR.