Transjugular Tricuspid Valve Implantation of Valve-in-Ring Bioprosthesis: Feasibility in a Preclinical, Pilot Trial

This preclinical study in a porcine model of recurrent regurgitation following tricuspid valvuloplasty aims to confirm the feasibility and safety of a novel transjugular tricuspid valve (TV) replacement device and to optimize the implantation procedure prior to first-in-human study. The novel device was implanted via a transjugular approach in a large white pig model (n = 2). No perivalvular leakage (PVL) or central tricuspid regurgitation (TR) was observed on post-operative echocardiography. The mean transvalvular gradient at 3 months follow-up was 1.69 ± 0.7 mmHg with mild central TR but no PVL. There was no right ventricular outflow tract obstruction, III atrioventricular block, device malposition, pericardial effusion, coronary artery compression, or myocardial infarction. This technique may be a promising option for patients after TV valvuloplasty and is ideal for high-risk patients undergoing open-heart surgery.