Region’s First Minimally Invasive Tricuspid Valve Procedure
Cardiac specialists at Allegheny General Hospital, part of Allegheny Health Network, have successfully completed the region’s first transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement. The breakthrough procedure treats tricuspid valve regurgitation, a complex heart condition that affects blood flow on the right side of the heart.
The procedure was performed by interventional cardiologist David Lasorda, DO; cardiac surgeon Walter McGregor, MD; and imaging cardiologist Georgios Lygouris, MD. The team used the FDA-approved EVOQUE system developed by Edwards Lifesciences.
Why Tricuspid Valve Regurgitation Matters
The tricuspid valve controls blood flow between the right atrium and right ventricle. When the valve fails to close properly, blood leaks backward. As a result, the heart must work harder to circulate blood to the lungs.
Over time, patients may experience fatigue, shortness of breath, swelling, and irregular heart rhythms. Until recently, treatment options were limited mainly to medications and symptom management. However, minimally invasive valve therapy now provides a new alternative.
How the Procedure Works
During the intervention, physicians insert a catheter through the femoral vein in the groin. They then guide it to the heart and position a replacement valve inside the damaged one. Once deployed, the artificial valve expands and restores proper blood flow.
Because the approach avoids open-heart surgery, recovery is typically faster. In fact, most patients are discharged within two days.
Clinical Trial Evidence
A study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology evaluated 400 patients with tricuspid regurgitation. Among them, 392 underwent the catheter-based valve procedure, while the remaining participants received medical therapy alone.
Importantly, patients who received the device showed meaningful improvements in quality of life and functional capacity at 30 days, 60 days, and one year. These results support broader adoption of this innovative therapy.
Expanding Advanced Cardiac Care in Pennsylvania
This milestone builds on Allegheny General Hospital’s ongoing leadership in structural heart innovation. In 2024, the hospital also became the first academic center in Pennsylvania to implant the TriClip device for repairing leaky tricuspid valves.
Tricuspid valve regurgitation affects approximately 1.6 million Americans, including thousands in Western Pennsylvania. With this new minimally invasive option, patients now have greater access to advanced cardiac treatment without the risks associated with open surgery.
Read Also: Song Lin Wins 2025 Snapdragon Prize for Innovation in Chemistry
