Two men stand in from of LLUH IHI sign smiling. Left is caucasian and tall. Right is shorter.

Loma Linda University Health's International Heart Institute has achieved a groundbreaking milestone by successfully performing the region's first TriClip procedure, offering new hope for patients suffering from tricuspid valve regurgitation. This innovative procedure, performed by Jason Hoff, MD, and Amr Mohsen, MD, directors of the Structural Heart Program, marks a significant advancement in cardiac care.

Tricuspid valve regurgitation is a condition in which one of the heat valves fails to close correctly, causing blood to flow backward into the heart. This leads to symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath, and swelling in the legs or abdomen. Historically, treatment options were limited, especially for patients who were not ideal candidates for open-heart surgery due to advanced age or high operative risk.

The TriClip device, recently approved by the FDA, allows for a minimally invasive transcatheter repair of the tricuspid valve. Unlike traditional surgeries, this procedure involves inserting a clip through the patient's groin via a catheter to bring the valve's leaflets together, significantly reducing or even eliminating valve regurgitation with the advantage of the patients likely going home the next day after the procedure.

The success of this procedure highlights the role of the multidisciplinary patient approach, which is individualized for every patient at Loma Linda University.

"The TriClip is a game-changer for patients with tricuspid valve regurgitation. Many have suffered for years with limited options, but now we can offer a safe and effective treatment that drastically improves their quality of life," Hoff said. "We were privileged to be among the first in the country to be able to bring this advanced therapy to our community."

The first patient to benefit from the TriClip procedure at Loma Linda University Health was a 90-year-old man. Despite his age, he was an ideal candidate for this minimally invasive procedure, demonstrating its broad applicability and safety profile. He was discharged home within less than 24 hours after the procedure to resume his daily activities. The successful procedure result was possible with the collaboration between the structural heart team, including Kenneth Jutzy, MD, and Purvi Parwani, MD, who provided cardiovascular imaging.

"We are excited to expand this program and help more patients regain their health and quality of life," Mohsen said.

For more information about the other advanced cardiac treatments available at Loma Linda University Health's International Heart Institute, visit its webpage or call 1-800-468-5432 to make an appointment.