Intermountain St. George Regional Hospital has achieved a groundbreaking milestone in cardiovascular medicine, successfully performing the first transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement in the Southern Utah region.
This minimally invasive procedure replaces a patient’s damaged or malfunctioning tricuspid valve with a new one using a catheter inserted through a blood vessel. This new procedure offers new hope for patients suffering from severe tricuspid regurgitation.
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The pioneering procedure was performed by Blake Gardner, MD, interventional cardiologist at Intermountain St. George Regional Hospital and senior medical director for the cardiovascular clinical program for Intermountain Health.
Dr. Gardner has now performed two of the procedures and says the experience provides new hope for heart patients in Southern Utah and throughout the region.
Adding the new procedure for heart patients underscores the hospital’s commitment to providing cutting-edge medical advancements and expanding access to specialized cardiac services for the communities it serves, Dr. Gardner says.
“We are incredibly proud to be at the forefront of cardiac innovation in Southern Utah,” said Dr. Gardner. “The successful completion of the first transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement at Intermountain St. George Regional Hospital represents a significant leap forward in our ability to treat complex heart conditions. This procedure offers a vital new option for patients who may not be candidates for traditional open-heart surgery, allowing them to receive advanced, life-changing care right here in our community.”
Traditionally, surgical replacement of the tricuspid valve has been a complex open-heart procedure. Transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement offers a less invasive alternative, performed by threading a catheter through a vein, typically in the leg, to deliver and implant a new valve within the heart.
This approach can lead to shorter hospital stays, faster recovery times, and reduced risks for eligible patients, said Dr. Gardner.
Tricuspid regurgitation occurs when the tricuspid valve, which separates the heart’s right atrium and right ventricle, fails to close properly, causing blood to leak backward. If severe, it can lead to symptoms such as fatigue, swelling in the legs and abdomen, and shortness of breath, significantly impacting a patient’s quality of life.
“This milestone procedure is a testament to the dedication and expertise of our entire cardiac team at Intermountain St. George Hospital,” said Natalie Ashby, president of Intermountain St. George Regional Hospital. “Our advanced technology and highly skilled cardiac caregivers ensure that patients in Southern Utah have access to the most innovative and effective heart treatments available, comparable to those found in leading cardiac centers nationwide.”
Intermountain St. George Regional Hospital continues to solidify its position as a regional leader in cardiovascular care, offering a comprehensive range of services from diagnostics and prevention to advanced interventional procedures and cardiac rehabilitation.
The introduction of transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement further enhances its capabilities, providing hope and improved outcomes for a growing number of patients with complex heart conditions.
