Catheter Heart Valve Replacement Without Open Surgery

In a remarkable medical feat, a 58-year-old patient received a complete catheter-based replacement of two malfunctioning heart valves at Kauvery Hospital in Alwarpet. This innovative approach eliminated the necessity for a second open-heart surgery. The patient had previously undergone a Ross procedure nearly 25 years prior, which involved using his own pulmonary valve for aortic valve replacement.

Over time, both replacement valves deteriorated, leading to severe regurgitation, pulmonary hypertension, and recurrent heart failure. Considered too high-risk for traditional open-heart surgery, the patient's case was managed by a multidisciplinary team. They utilized state-of-the-art 3D echocardiography and cardiac CT imaging, alongside extensive AI-based predictive modeling and virtual valve implantation for meticulous planning.

The pulmonary valve was successfully replaced using a transcatheter valve after conduit preparation with covered stents and balloon dilatation. Subsequently, the diseased aortic valve was replaced with a balloon-expandable transcatheter valve. The entire procedure, performed in a hybrid operating room, concluded without complications.

The patient experienced a swift recovery and was discharged after a brief ICU stay. At a two-week follow-up, his health had significantly improved, marking a successful outcome for this advanced cardiovascular intervention.