81-yr-old patient gets new valve through small-incision method
In a yet another significant milestone in advanced cardiac care for the tricity, Fortis Hospital, Mohali, has successfully performed a Transcatheter Mitral Valve Replacement (TMVR) procedure on an 81-year-old patient. The TMVR is a minimally invasive procedure, performed using a catheter through a small incision, eliminating the need for open-heart surgery, reducing pain and recovery time.
The patient was diagnosed with severe mitral regurgitation (a heart condition that occurs when the mitral valve doesn’t close properly, causing blood to flow backward into the heart’s upper chamber) and had been struggling with symptoms like breathlessness and fatigue, with medications providing limited relief. Valve replacement became the only viable option to restore normal cardiac function.
Dr Arun Kochar, Additional Director Cardiology, Fortis Hospital, Mohali, along with his team performed the procedure, using cutting-edge TMVR technique to replace the damaged mitral valve with a bio prosthetic valve — a heart valve replacement made from biological materials like porcine tissue, bovine pericardium or human tissue.
Commenting on the case, Dr Kochar said, “The TMVR is a transformative procedure for elderly patients with severe mitral valve disease. Modern healthcare advancements allow us to deliver safer, less invasive treatments with faster recovery and improved outcomes. This procedure is a promising option for people who previously had limited treatment choices, helping them live healthier and more comfortable lives.”
This technique is particularly beneficial for patients who are too weak or have other health conditions that make open-heart surgery too risky. The TMVR can be used to treat conditions like a leaky mitral valve or a valve that has become stiff and doesn’t open properly. The patient and their family were counselled on the safety and efficacy of the procedure before moving ahead. Post-procedure, the patient showed significant improvement with stable cardiac function and returned to daily activities.
