Minimally invasive treatment expands options for patients with severe heart valve leakage in Florida
October 28, 2026 – Naples Comprehensive Health (NCH) has performed the nation’s first tricuspid valve repair using Edwards Lifesciences’ PASCAL Precision system following U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval for this use. The procedure expands treatment options at the NCH Rooney Heart Institute, which treats more patients with tricuspid regurgitation than any other center in Florida. Robert Cubeddu, MD, led the procedure following Edwards’ announcement of FDA approval for the system’s use in tricuspid valve repair.
The milestone builds on NCH’s role as the nation’s highest-enrolling clinical trial site for the treatment before FDA approval. Through that research, the NCH Rooney Heart Institute helped evaluate the therapy while giving participating patients in Southwest Florida access to an investigational treatment for tricuspid valve disease.
Tricuspid regurgitation occurs when the valve on the right side of the heart does not close properly, allowing blood to flow backward. Patients with severe disease may experience fatigue, shortness of breath and swelling that can make everyday activities increasingly difficult…