Numerical Analysis of the Bicaval Transcatheter System for the Treatment of Severe Tricuspid Regurgitation

Abstract

Tricuspid regurgitation (TR), also called tricuspid insufficiency, is a relatively common valvular diseases that can result from structural abnormalities of any anatomic part of the tricuspid valve apparatus. While trivial and moderate TR are compensated by the right atrial compliance, severe regurgitation conditions can result in congestive heart failure and hemodynamic impairment. We aim to model the non-invasive caval implantation treatment of TR seen in one patient using the novel bicaval transcatheter system (TricValve). Geometric models of TricValve devices were obtained from manufacturing guidelines and photography of devices. Then, the TricValve was simulated in a patient-specific model to assess the device structural performance. Computational fluid dynamics was also used to evaluate the pre- and post-TricValve haemodynamic. Ultimately, this study has the potential to better understanding the biomechanical performance of the novel TricValve system and may improve the way we design the next-generation of transcatheter therapies for severe TR.