Optimal fluoroscopic viewing angles of right-sided heart structures in patients with tricuspid regurgitation based on multislice computed tomography

Aims: This study sought to analyse multislice computed tomography (MSCT) data of patients with tricuspid regurgitation and to report the variability of fluoroscopic viewing angles for several right-sided heart structures, as well as chamber views of the right heart in order to determine the optimal fluoroscopic viewing angles of six right-sided heart structures and right-heart chamber views.Methods and results: The MSCT data of 44 patients with mild to severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR) were retrospectively analysed. For each patient, we determined the optimal fluoroscopic viewing angles of the annulus/orifice en face view of the tricuspid valve, atrial septum, superior vena cava (SVC), inferior vena cava (IVC), coronary sinus (CS) and pulmonary valve. In this TR patient cohort, the average fluoroscopic viewing angle for the en face view of the tricuspid valve annulus was LAO 54-CAUD 15; RAO 10-CAUD 66 for the SVC orifice; LAO 27-CRA 59 for the IVC orifice; RAO 28-CRA 19 for the CS orifice; RAO 33-CAUD 33 for the atrial septum and LAO 13-CAUD 52 for the pulmonary valve annulus. The average viewing angle for right-heart chamber views was LAO 55-CAUD 15 for the one-chamber view; RAO 59-CAUD 54 for the two-chamber view; RAO 27-CRA 19 for the three-chamber view and LAO 5-CRA 60 for the four-chamber view.Conclusions: MSCT can provide patient-specific fluoroscopic viewing angles of right-sided heart structures. This information may facilitate transcatheter right-heart interventions.