Malaysian Patient Successfully Undergoes Innovative "Transcatheter Tricuspid Valve Clipping" Procedure
Introduction:
On November 9th, Dr. Han Yu and his team at Fuwai Hospital's Structural Heart Disease Department successfully performed the "Transcatheter Tricuspid Valve Clipping" procedure on a 78-year-old Malaysian patient. This groundbreaking technique not only provided life-saving treatment for a patient suffering from severe tricuspid regurgitation but also represents a significant advancement in the field of valve interventions.
The Case:
The patient, Mrs. Lim, a 78-year-old woman from Malaysia, had been suffering from severe tricuspid regurgitation for many years, which caused debilitating symptoms such as abdominal swelling and leg edema, making it difficult for her to walk or even eat. She had been relying on diuretics to manage her condition, but her quality of life was extremely poor. After consultations with a multi-disciplinary team, it was determined that minimally invasive intervention was the best solution.
However, due to the complex anatomy of the tricuspid valve, its image clarity on ultrasound is often poor, making surgery extremely challenging. This has earned the tricuspid valve the nickname "forgotten valve" in the medical community. Despite these challenges, Dr. Han’s team, with extensive experience in valve interventions, performed the procedure with precision, guided by both ultrasound and DSA (digital subtraction angiography).
During the procedure, two clips were placed on the patient's tricuspid valve, one at the junction of the anterior and posterior leaflets. Dr. Han noted, "After the first clip was released, the regurgitation improved significantly. To further solidify the results, we placed a second clip at the leaflet junction." Post-procedure ultrasound showed that the tricuspid regurgitation had completely resolved, exceeding expectations.
The Importance of Tricuspid Valve Intervention:
Severe tricuspid regurgitation is relatively common, often as a secondary condition arising from other heart issues such as long-term atrial fibrillation. Dr. Han explained that these patients often experience stubborn heart failure symptoms, which, if left untreated, can severely affect quality of life and even be life-threatening. Historically, repairing the tricuspid valve has been complex, and medication alone has limited effectiveness, making it a significant challenge in clinical treatment.
Technological Breakthrough:
The success of this procedure further demonstrates Fuwai Hospital's expertise in the field of valve interventions. Dr. Han remarked, "We are now proficient in performing minimally invasive surgeries on four major heart valves: the aortic valve, pulmonary valve, mitral valve, and tricuspid valve. Few hospitals in the country are capable of performing all four types of valve surgeries." With this breakthrough, the team aims to expand the reach of tricuspid valve interventions, providing relief to more patients suffering from the "forgotten valve" condition.
Post-Procedure Recovery:
On the first day after the surgery, Mrs. Lim's abdominal swelling significantly decreased, and the leg edema began to subside. She was able to eat a small amount of food. "I can finally breathe comfortably again. Thank you so much to Dr. Han and his team!" said the patient's family, visibly relieved and grateful.
