slow accrual

The purpose of this study is to look at liver stiffness with a MRI sequence called Magnetic Resonance Elastography (MRE). The study will let the investigators know whether the subject's liver is normal or has increased stiffness. Increased liver stiffness often means there is chronic liver disease and fibrosis. Increased right heart pressure and congestive heart failure are considered risk factors for development of liver fibrosis. Liver fibrosis, if progressive, may lead to cirrhosis and its related complications. The increased liver stiffness may be due to a poorly functioning tricuspid valve. With this research, the investigators will be able to determine if the elevated stiffness of the liver returns to normal after the surgeon performs a repair or replacement of the tricuspid valve.

Inclusion criteria:

• Primary tricuspid valvular regurgitation (tricuspid valve disease not related to a left-sided cardiac abnormality) diagnosed by echocardiography
• Evidence of passive hepatic congestion. Patients with severe tricuspid regurgitation diagnosed at echocardiography will constitute evidence of passive hepatic congestion.
• Patient scheduled for surgical tricuspid valvular repair or replacement.

Exclusion criteria:

• Contraindication for MRI (implantable devices such as cardiac pacemaker, anxiety, inability to lay supine, etc).
• Additional conditions which may elevate their liver stiffness: hepatic fibrosis or cirrhosis, hepatic parenchymal disease (primary biliary cirrhosis, primary sclerosing cholangitis, etc), acute or chronic hepatitis (viral, substance or medication induced), disorders of hepatic vasculature, biliary obstruction or disease, primary or metastatic hepatic malignancy.
• Cannot agree to return for a follow up visit to complete the postsurgical imaging.