I am excited to announce that the NCH Rooney Heart Institute recently performed a groundbreaking procedure for patients with valvular heart disease.
The operation performed on March 21, by a highly specialized team led by Robert J. Cubeddu, MD, Harvard-trained interventional cardiologist and President of the NCH Rooney Heart Institute, represents the first-ever transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement performed in the State of Florida and one of 10 in the country after its recent approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Other physicians joining in this first-ever surgery in Florida were NCH Cardiovascular Surgeons David Axline, MD, Gaston Cudemus, MD, and Brian Solomon, MD.
This procedure, approved by the FDA, marks a significant advancement in cardiac care.
Tricuspid valve disease is highly prevalent and affects thousands of Americans with heart disease. The condition typically manifests as a malfunctioning leaky valve that when severe, often results in congestive heart failure and is associated with poor prognosis. Until recently, treatment options for tricuspid valve disease have been limited to drugs aimed at providing symptom relief only. However, with the introduction of the minimally invasive transcatheter approach using the “Evoque” valve manufactured by Edwards Lifescience, Inc., patients affected by this adverse condition now have access to a life-changing solution.