Valvular & structural heart diseaseCohort study

Decoding the complexity of tricuspid regurgitation prognostic drivers using explainable artificial intelligence

Eur Heart J Cardiovasc ImagingPublished

  • large prospective registry
  • supervised explainable artificial intelligence (EAI) models
  • proportional hazards models

Authors' conclusion

EAI ranked mortality predictors in TR, highlighting patient factors, haemodynamics, TR-specific measures, and left-ventricular function. Among TR-specific measures, EROA and TRIScore were most prognostic. Recognizing their impact can refine risk stratification, guide intervention timing, and inform long-term management.

Study context

Population
Patients with native tricuspid regurgitation (TR) across the full severity spectrum, with detailed clinical evaluation and quantitative Doppler-echocardiographypatients, 2676 deaths during 3.8 ± 4.6 years of follow-up
Participants
9,761 patients

Main finding

As reported in the abstract

Long-term all-cause mortality · 3.8 ± 4.6 years of follow-up

Deaths

2676

Observational data: associations, not effects.

Further findings

Ranked prognostic determinants of survival (EAI)

Prognostic determinants identified and ranked
20
Haemodynamic measures, led by elevated pulmonary-artery systolic and right-atrial pressures, were strongest, followed by age and comorbidity
TR-related variables ranked next, led by right ventricular dysfunction and effective regurgitant orifice area (EROA), which outperformed integrative TR grade and TRIScore
Left-ventricular parameters were less influential

Non-linear effects and interactions

Higher EROA-related risk with elevated pulmonary pressures or lower TRIScore
P < 0.03
Non-linear effects, including those involving ejection fraction
  • both P < 0.03

EROA as TR severity marker (proportional hazards models)

EROA strongest TR severity marker
P < 0.0001
Excess mortality beginning at
40 mm²
Increasing further at
60 mm²

Baseline characteristics

Mean age
73 ± 15 years
Women
56.9%
EROA
40 (30-56) mm²
Regurgitant volume
39 (29-53) mL/beat
Severe TR
42%

Original publication

Decoding the complexity of tricuspid regurgitation prognostic drivers using explainable artificial intelligence. Eur Heart J Cardiovasc Imaging. Published 27 June 2026. doi:10.1093/ehjci/jeag168

Summarised from the published abstract; every number is checked against it