Englewood Hospital Among First in U.S to Implant Innovative Heart Valve Repair Device

August 27, 2024 – The structural heart team at Englewood Hospital successfully performed its first procedure using the Abbott TriClip™ transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) system, a first-of-its-kind device, to repair a leaky tricuspid valve, a condition known as tricuspid regurgitation (TR). 

“We are excited to be one of the very first hospitals in New Jersey, and the country, to implant TriClip, and offer this revolutionary treatment for patients with tricuspid valve disease,” said Joseph De Gregorio, MD, executive director of cardiovascular services at Englewood Hospital. “TriClip is a minimally invasive, non-surgical option to restore normal blood flow patterns on the right side of the heart for patients with tricuspid valve regurgitation, and ultimately improve symptoms, quality of life, and outcomes.” 

Until now, the only treatment option for patients with tricuspid regurgitation not successfully managed with medications was open-heart surgery. However, most patients with tricuspid valve disease are not candidates for surgery due to co-morbidities and the complexity of the procedure making them high-risk for surgery. With the use of the TriClip, more patients are able to access effective treatment that was previously unavailable to them, offering hope for improved quality of life and better long-term outcomes.

"Using catheter-based techniques, we can maneuver to the right side of the heart and clip the tricuspid valve leaflets together, reducing leakage," said Ramin Hastings, MD, medical director of the Structural Heart and Valve Program at Englewood Hospital.

Dr. Hastings performed the first procedure using the TEER system at Englewood Hospital. He added, "This minimally invasive approach is ideal for high-risk patients, minimizing recovery time, reducing complications, and improving overall outcomes, allowing patients to experience quicker and safer relief from symptoms."