Revolutionary Heart Valve Repair Now Available in Metro East

For years, patients suffering from severe tricuspid regurgitation—a debilitating heart valve condition affecting an estimated 1.6 million Americans—have faced limited treatment options. Known as the “forgotten heart valve” because it was historically difficult to treat, this condition now has a groundbreaking solution. Prairie Cardiovascular is proud to be among the few centers in the Midwest to offer the TriClip transcatheter tricuspid valve repair procedure.

This minimally invasive treatment represents a major breakthrough for heart patients who previously had few alternatives beyond medication or risky open-heart surgery, offering hope and improved quality of life for those suffering from this serious condition.

Understanding the Condition

The tricuspid valve sits on the right side of the heart, controlling blood flow between the upper and lower chambers. In patients with tricuspid regurgitation, the valve’s leaflets don’t close properly, causing blood to leak backward. This forces the heart to work harder and can lead to severe fatigue, shortness of breath, irregular heart rhythms, swelling in the legs and abdomen, and fluid accumulation. Left untreated, it can result in right-sided heart failure, atrial fibrillation, kidney disease, and reduced life expectancy.

What makes tricuspid regurgitation particularly challenging is that many patients don’t recognize the symptoms until the condition has become quite advanced. Patients often attribute their fatigue and swelling to aging or other conditions.

Who Benefits from TriClip?

The procedure is designed for patients with symptomatic severe tricuspid regurgitation who meet specific criteria. Ideal candidates are typically older adults—the average age in clinical trials was 78—who experience symptoms despite optimal medical therapy and who are at intermediate or greater risk for open-heart surgery.

We’re seeing patients who have been managing their symptoms with diuretics and other medications for years, but the quality of their life continued to decline. For many of these patients, traditional open-heart surgery carries too much risk. TriClip offers them a real alternative.

The Procedure

The TriClip system, developed by Abbott Structural Heart, uses proven transcatheter edge-to-edge repair technology. During the procedure, performed under general anesthesia, the device is delivered to the heart through a catheter inserted into the femoral vein in the groin. Using advanced imaging guidance, the clip is positioned to grasp and permanently approximate the valve’s leaflets, creating a better seal and reducing backward blood flow.

The procedure typically takes a few hours, involves no heart-lung bypass or chest opening, and most patients go home within one to two days. There’s minimal recovery time, no sternotomy, and patients often notice improvement in their symptoms within days or weeks.

Proven Results

The TriClip system received FDA approval in April 2024 following the landmark TRILUMINATE Pivotal trial. According to Abbott Structural Heart, “TriClip TEER is the only tricuspid device proven to reduce risk of heart failure hospitalization and improve quality of life, relative to optimal medical therapy.” At two years, the procedure demonstrated a 28% reduction in heart failure hospitalization risk.

We’re seeing people who couldn’t walk to their mailbox now able to go shopping, spend time with grandchildren, and resume activities they thought were lost to them forever.

Leading Regional Innovation

Prairie Cardiovascular’s ability to offer TriClip reflects the organization’s commitment to bringing advanced cardiac treatments to the Metro East region. Being one of the few centers in the region with this capability means patients don’t have to travel to receive world-class cardiac care. We can provide it right here in the Metro-East.

The practice has a long history of adopting and mastering new technologies, from advanced electrophysiology procedures to complex coronary interventions. Our commitment is to stay at the cutting edge and make these advances accessible to our community. TriClip is a perfect example of that commitment in action.

For patients experiencing symptoms like unexplained fatigue, leg swelling, or shortness of breath who have been diagnosed with tricuspid regurgitation, it may be time to discuss whether TriClip could be right for you. With TriClip now available at Prairie Cardiovascular, we’re able to offer our patients a proven, minimally invasive option that can truly transform their quality of life.

Prairie Cardiovascular brings innovative treatment for tricuspid regurgitation to the region.