Perth Cardiac Team Perform First Minimally Invasive Procedure For Severe Heart Valve Disorder in Asia-Pacific Region
New tricuspid valve repair procedure with Abbott’s TriClip™ System offers hope to Australians who suffer from the debilitating effects of tricuspid regurgitation
Perth, Western Australia – A structural heart team at Mount Hospital in Perth, Western Australia, have become the first doctors in the Asia-Pacific region to successfully perform a minimally invasive heart procedure using a new ground-breaking device, TriClip™ from Abbott, for patients with severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR) who are at high risk for surgery.
GenesisCare Cardiologist, Dr Wen-Loong Yeow, said: “For the first time, hundreds of Australians with tricuspid regurgitation who are not eligible for open heart surgery, sternotomy, cardiopulmonary bypass or cardioplegia, have a new treatment option that may improve symptoms and quality of life, without the potential risks of more traditional, invasive approaches,” said Dr Yeow.
“The procedure involved the implantation of a device to repair the regurgitation in the tricuspid valve. Post procedure the patient is in good condition and recovering at home with excellent indicators for full recovery. He is an otherwise fit 90-year-old gentleman who is very much looking forward to being able to hop on his bike and get back into cycling,” said Dr Yeow.
Dr Robert Larbalestier, Mount Hospital Cardiothoracic Surgeon, said: “Mount Hospital’s expert cardiologists, cardiothoracic surgeons and imaging specialists are truly leading the way with this Asia-Pacific first procedure.”
“Working with a focused heart team approach allows excellent patient outcomes for their recovery and these new technologies are broadening our options for patient care.”
Mount Hospital GM Reza Barzegari said the case was another example of the hospital team and its specialists being at the forefront of surgical innovation.
“We are delighted to be able to support our world-class surgeons in giving patients outstanding treatment and care. My congratulations to our structural heart team for this Asia-Pacific first, and we send our best wishes for our patient’s speedy recovery,” Mr Barzegari said.
Tricuspid regurgitation is a condition in which the valve between the two right heart chambers does not close properly and results in abnormal leaking of blood across the tricuspid valve. In severe cases, if left untreated, it can lead to an increased incidence of mortality, prolonged hospitalisation, and can negatively impact a patient’s quality of life. The tricuspid valve is often referred to as the ‘forgotten valve’ – given the very limited treatment options that have existed for it previously.
The technique performed allows for the repair of the tricuspid valve with an implant through a vein in the leg without the need to open the patient’s chest. The procedure was performed by the structural heart team at Mount Hospital, comprising of GenesisCare Interventional Cardiologists Dr Wen-Loong Yeow and Dr Gerald Yong, Echocardiologist Dr Barry McKeown, as well as Cardiothoracic Surgeon Dr Robert Larbalestier, and Cardiac Anaesthetist Dr Mark Schneider.
The Abbott TriClip™ System consists of a small device that is placed to help close the leaflets of the tricuspid valve. The TriClip™ Implant is inserted through a catheter (a thin tube), without the need for open-heart surgery. The TriClip™ Implant treats tricuspid regurgitation (TR) by clipping the leaflets (the flaps) of the tricuspid valve. The valve continues to open and close while reducing or preventing blood from flowing backwards into the right atrium.
