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Heart Valve Leak Fixed Without Open Surgery
17 Oct
Summary
- A catheter-based technique sealed a heart valve leak.
- The procedure avoided a second open-heart surgery for the patient.
- Doctors at Government Medical College Hospital performed the rare procedure.
In a significant medical achievement, doctors at Government Medical College Hospital in Thiruvananthapuram successfully treated a leak near a 55-year-old woman's artificial mitral valve using a catheter-based technique on October 17, 2026. This innovative procedure eliminated the necessity for a repeat open-heart surgery.
The patient had previously undergone replacement of her mitral and aortic valves due to severe heart disease. A subsequent leak developed near the mitral valve, a complication that typically demands complex open-chest surgery.
Opting for a less invasive approach, a thin catheter was guided through the leg's femoral vein to the heart. A specialized plug was then deployed to precisely seal the leak. This method bypassed the risks associated with open-chest operations, including incisions and stitches, and is expected to reduce post-operative complications.
This technically challenging procedure, particularly rare in patients with two artificial heart valves, highlights the growing expertise within Kerala's government medical colleges. The patient's condition is reported as satisfactory, with her discharge anticipated shortly.
