Patients with severe heart valve disease, who are unable to have open heart surgery, may now have the option of a new minimally invasive procedure at Epworth Richmond.
Severe tricuspid valve regurgitation, where blood leaks back into the heart's right atrium and into the body, can cause symptoms including fatigue, swelling of the legs, ankles and abdomen, and liver dysfunction. Without surgery, the disease can potentially lead to heart failure.
Professor Tony Walton recently performed the first TricValve procedure at Epworth. In this procedure, two valves were placed into the heart through a vein in the leg. This helps stop blood from flowing backwards in the heart.
Prof Walton said the non-surgical treatment was not suitable for everyone, but it provided another option for patients previously considered inoperable due to factors such as advanced age, comorbidities or high surgical risk.
"Traditionally, treatment options for tricuspid valve regurgitation have been limited to open-heart surgery or medical therapy. Unfortunately, patients who are unsuitable for surgery can often experience recurrent hospitalisations with heart failure and have a poor long-term prognosis," he said.
"We are pleased this new procedure is now available at Epworth Richmond. We think it could help lower the chances of heart failure for those with tricuspid valve regurgitation."
"We are committed to expanding the options available to Epworth patients and innovative treatments like this can give hope for improved health outcomes and quality of life."
