A novel procedure has been successfully conducted for the first time in the UK at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (OUH), offering hope to patients suffering from severe heart valve disease. Administered at the Oxford Heart Centre within John Radcliffe Hospital in December 2023, Transcatheter Tricuspid Valve Replacement (TTVR) procedures were performed on two individuals grappling with severe tricuspid regurgitation. Tricuspid regurgitation is a condition characterized by the improper closure of the tricuspid valve, leading to adverse symptoms such as fluid retention and breathlessness, significantly impacting patients' quality of life and posing life-threatening risks.

Conventional treatment options for this condition, including open heart surgery, have often been considered too risky, while pharmaceutical interventions have proven ineffective. However, in an innovative move, OUH introduced a minimally invasive procedure, the first of its kind in the UK, which holds promise in transforming patient care for severe tricuspid regurgitation. This pioneering procedure involves the complete replacement of the leaky tricuspid valve with a new valve delivered through a leg vein under light anesthesia, eliminating the need for open heart surgery.

Patients undergoing the TTVR procedure experience shorter hospital stays and avoid intensive care unit admissions, with most discharged within a couple of days post-surgery. This groundbreaking therapy provides a much-needed treatment option for patients previously without viable alternatives, significantly enhancing their quality of life. TTVR is now established as a standard treatment option for severe tricuspid regurgitation patients at OUH, with dozens expected to benefit from the procedure annually. This milestone underscores OUH's commitment to delivering high-quality care and advancing medical research and innovation to improve patient outcomes.

Source: ouh.nhs.uk

 

 

Report Abuse