Tricuspid regurgitation (TR) occurs when blood flows backwards through the tricuspid heart valve. This leak can cause fatigue, shortness of breath, leg and abdomen swelling, and in serious cases, heart failure.
L.P., a long-time Carle Health patient, had previously been diagnosed with a heart murmur and Neurocardiogenic Syncope which causes fainting spells. These conditions meant she receives an echocardiogram during wellness exams to track her heart’s health.
“Recently, after I had the echo, I was referred to the cardiology department,” said L.P. “This time they discussed with me my enlarged heart. The issue was with the tricuspid valve letting a lot of blood regurgitate, or flow backwards into the heart instead of the lungs. It [her heart] was severely enlarged, they said. It was even beyond severely enlarged.”
For Edmund Laking, his leaky valve was disrupting his everyday activities. “I had a leaky valve in my heart which was causing me a lot of problems, like leg swelling,” said Laking. “My doctor said my heart wasn’t pumping blood to my legs because of the leaky valve. I had problems for a while. I was feeling sluggish.”
“Really the only previous treatment was open heart surgery, however, often patients may be at too high risk for surgery,” said Issam Moussa, MD, MBA. “So, the only time when they do something about it is if they’re operating on the patient for a different reason. That leaves a lot of patients with that leak in the valve untreated.”
For these patients, a new, minimally invasive treatment option is available to improve TR symptoms. The Transcatheter TriClip procedure is a groundbreaking treatment approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2024.
“The procedure is very safe,” Dr. Moussa said. “Less than one percent, I would say, experience major complications right now.” The cardiology team works closely to prepare the patient for the procedure.
“When a patient is referred, our RN coordinators screen them,” Sanjay Mehta, MD, FACC “Then they have a consultation with a structural cardiologist. Next comes imaging, which includes a transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) to get close pictures of the structures inside the heart. Cardiology team physicians and staff then meet to determine if the TriClip procedure will benefit the patient.”
For L.P.’s treatment, Dr. Mehta explained they would put in two clips. Two physicians would insert the clips while another used a transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) to monitor her heart during the procedure.
Patients who receive the treatment do not have to worry about a long recovery process.
“The patient stays one night in the hospital and then goes home,” Dr. Moussa said. “And they’re able to resume regular activities within a few days. They’re able to walk and do their regular activities at home. We encourage patients to undergo cardiac rehab in a week or two.”
“We still follow up seven to ten days later, and at 30 days in the office if they have any questions or concerns,” Dr. Mehta said. “So, these patients are followed up with very closely.”
“I had no pain,” said L.P. “The next day I had an echocardiogram and that was interesting because I could see the clips inside my heart. And I think they kept my primary doctor informed. When I saw him after the procedure, he was definitely aware of its success.”
For patients who receive the TriClip procedure, studies show significant improvement in quality of life.
“I wanted something done because I wanted to feel a lot better,” said Laking. “And get this thing with my legs fixed. A lot of people don’t like going to the hospital, but that didn’t bother me. I feel a lot better. I’m able to get out and do a lot of things.”
“I had plenty of friends to help me,” said L.P. “If a person goes through any heart procedure, you need a real secure friend to stay with you if you don’t have family. But the great thing is that the cardiologists worked in a committee system to discuss my case and tests before scheduling this procedure to make sure it was right for me.”
For more information on tricuspid valve regurgitation and other cardiovascular conditions treated at Carle Health, visit Carle.org.
Categories: Redefining Healthcare
Tags: &, Cardiac, Heart, Institute, leaky, Transcatheter, TriClip, tricuspid, valve, Vascular