Valve innovation 'lowers chance of heart failure'

A new procedure at Epworth Richmond hospital is offering hope to patients with severe heart valve disease.

Patients with severe tricuspid valve regurgitation are often unable to have open-heart surgery, but a new minimally-invasive procedure is changing lives.

The condition occurs when blood leaks back into the heart's right atrium, and into the body, causing symptoms including fatigue, swelling of the legs, ankles and abdomen, and liver dysfunction.

Without surgery, the disease can potentially lead to heart failure.

Professor Tony Walton recently performed the first TricValve procedure at Epworth HealthCare's flagship Melbourne facility.

It involved placing two valves into the heart through a vein in the patient's leg, which helps stop blood from flowing backwards into the heart.

"Traditionally, treatment options for tricuspid valve regurgitation have been limited to open-heart surgery or medical therapy," Prof Walton said.

"Unfortunately, patients who are unsuitable for surgery can often experience recurrent hospitalisations with heart failure and have a poor long-term prognosis."

Prof Walton said the non-surgical treatment was not suitable for everyone, but it provided another option for patients previously considered inoperable due to factors such as advanced age, comorbidities or high surgical risk.

"We are pleased this new procedure is now available at Epworth Richmond," he said.

"We think it could help lower the chances of heart failure for those with tricuspid valve regurgitation.

"We are committed to expanding the options available to Epworth patients and innovative treatments like this can give hope for improved health outcomes and quality of life."

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