UC Davis Health Pioneers Novel Heart Valve Repair with Newly Approved Device

UC Davis Health has marked a significant advancement in cardiac care by performing a novel heart valve repair using the newly approved Abbott TriClip™ system. This innovative approach targets tricuspid regurgitation, a condition where the heart's tricuspid valve fails to close properly, leading to blood leakage and increased heart strain.

• Tricuspid regurgitation affects approximately 1.6 million Americans, manifesting symptoms like neck vein pulsing, liver enlargement, fatigue, and body swelling. Without treatment, it can escalate to atrial fibrillation, heart failure, kidney disease, and even death.

• The TriClip system enables a minimally invasive procedure (TEER) that significantly reduces procedural risks compared to traditional surgery. Under general anesthesia, the device is delivered via a catheter from the groin to the heart, guided by X-ray and ultrasound. It then clips together portions of the valve's leaflets to improve sealing and reduce leakage.

• UC Davis Medical Center is not only one of the first sites nationwide with commercial access to TriClip but also the first in the Western United States to utilize the system post its FDA approval. The center played a pivotal role in the TRILUMINATE Pivotal trial, testing the device's safety and efficacy, and boasts one of the highest enrollment rates in the national trial.

• Gagan D. Singh, associate professor of cardiovascular medicine, and Jason H. Rogers, professor of cardiovascular medicine, highlighted the procedure's potential to enhance patients' quality of life significantly. They emphasized UC Davis Health's leadership in transcatheter edge-to-edge repair and its commitment to providing comprehensive, high-quality cardiac care.

This milestone underscores UC Davis Health's dedication to pioneering innovative treatments and its role as a leader in cardiac care, offering hope and improved outcomes for patients with tricuspid regurgitation.