Sex Differences Among Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Tricuspid Valve Repair Using the Edge-to-Edge Technique

Introduction: Tricuspid valve regurgitation (TR) is more prevalent among females. Transcatheter tricuspid valve repair (TTVR) using the edge-to-edge technique represents an alternative to surgery in patients with severe TR and high surgical risk. This study aims to investigate sex differences among patients undergoing TTVR. Methods: All patients who underwent TTVR at our center were retrospectively included. We compared baseline characteristics, intra-hospital, and one-year outcomes between males and females. Results: A total of 105 consecutive patients underwent TTVR. Females were more prevalent in the study cohort (n = 63, 60%). Coronary artery disease (CAD) was more evident in males than females (71.4% vs. 47.6%, p = 0.016). Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was also worse in males (48.8 +/- 13.4 vs. 58 +/- 6.8, p < 0.001). Other clinical characteristics were similar between both groups. The Success of the procedure (88.1% vs. 95.2%, p = 0.177) and intra-hospital mortality (4.8% vs. 11.1%, p = 0.255) were similar among males and females. At one-year follow-up, mortality was similar between both groups (24.3% vs. 25.9%, p = 0.863). Furthermore, hospitalization due to acute heart failure was also similar between both groups (40.5% vs. 37.5%, p = 0.768), as was a composite endpoint of death or hospitalization. In patients with successful procedures and who survived one year, TR severity was comparable between both groups. Conclusions: In our real-world cohort, more females underwent TTVR than males. No difference was observed in outcomes between males and females at one-year follow-up.