Kolkata: Marking a significant advancement in structural heart interventions in Eastern India, Apollo Multispeciality Hospitals, Kolkata has successfully performed two consecutive Transcatheter Tricuspid Valve Replacement (TTVR) procedures under the leadership of renowned Structural Heart Specialist and Senior Consultant Interventional Cardiologist Dr. Sumanto Mukhopadhyay.
The landmark procedures were performed on elderly and frail patients suffering from severe, symptomatic Tricuspid Regurgitation (TR). Both patients had underlying health complications that made conventional open-heart surgery a high-risk option.
The successful procedures offer a minimally invasive treatment alternative for patients who may not be suitable candidates for traditional tricuspid valve surgery.
Understanding Tricuspid Valve Regurgitation
The tricuspid valve regulates blood flow between the right atrium and right ventricle of the heart. When the valve fails to close properly, blood flows backward, a condition known as tricuspid regurgitation.
Severe TR can lead to fluid accumulation in the body, swelling, breathlessness, fatigue, impaired organ function and, in advanced cases, heart failure. Because surgical treatment can carry significant risks, particularly among elderly and medically fragile patients, the tricuspid valve has historically been referred to as the “forgotten valve.”
How TTVR Works
Transcatheter Tricuspid Valve Replacement (TTVR) is an advanced minimally invasive structural heart procedure that does not require conventional open-heart surgery.
During the procedure, a bioprosthetic valve is compressed and delivered to the heart through a thin catheter inserted through a small puncture in a vein, typically through the femoral or jugular route. The replacement valve is then precisely positioned within the diseased native tricuspid valve and expanded to restore proper blood flow.
The procedure avoids a sternotomy and the need for cardiopulmonary bypass, potentially allowing eligible patients to recover much faster than after conventional open-heart surgery.
Two High-Risk Cases Successfully Treated
The two patients treated at Apollo Multispeciality Hospitals, Kolkata were elderly and frail, with severe symptomatic tricuspid regurgitation and multiple associated health concerns.
Under the leadership of Dr. Mukhopadhyay and the hospital’s dedicated Structural Heart Team, LuX-Valve Plus systems, manufactured by Jenscare Scientific Co., Ltd., China, were successfully implanted.
Post-procedure assessments showed satisfactory valve function and complete resolution of the significant backward blood flow. The patients also experienced substantial improvement in their symptoms, with no complications reported.
For appropriately selected patients, TTVR may offer important advantages, including avoiding open-heart surgery, reduced hospitalisation and faster recovery. Patients may be able to walk within hours of the procedure and, in suitable cases, may be discharged within a few days.
Dr. Sumanto Mukhopadhyay: A Leader in Structural Heart Interventions
Dr. Sumanto Mukhopadhyay (MBBS, MD, DM, MRCP London) is a Senior Consultant Interventional Cardiologist and Structural Heart Intervention Specialist at Apollo Multispeciality Hospitals, Kolkata.
He has undergone advanced structural heart training and has worked as a Consultant at St. Bartholomew’s Hospital and Royal Brompton Hospital in London, UK. With experience of more than 2,000 TAVI/TAVR procedures, Dr. Mukhopadhyay has extensive expertise in advanced structural heart interventions, including TMVR, TEER, MitraClip, TriClip, Pascal and TTVR.
He is also a recognised proctor and faculty member involved in training interventional cardiologists in advanced structural cardiac procedures across India.
TTVR Can Transform Treatment for High-Risk Patients
Speaking at a press meet at Press Club Kolkata, Dr. Sumanto Mukhopadhyay explained the new treatment technique and highlighted the need to create greater public awareness about advanced options for patients suffering from severe tricuspid valve disease.
“Tricuspid valve regurgitation has long been one of the most challenging conditions to manage safely in patients with advanced age or associated co-morbidities. With TTVR, we are shifting the boundaries of what is possible in structural heart interventions. Delivering a brand-new valve via the femoral/jugular vein with a keyhole puncture allows us to give patients back their quality of life with minimal discomfort and reduced hospital stay,” said Dr. Mukhopadhyay.
The successful TTVR procedures at Apollo Multispeciality Hospitals, Kolkata represent an important step forward in advanced structural heart care in Eastern India, particularly for elderly and high-risk patients for whom conventional surgery may not be a safe option.
