Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital First on Central Coast to Implant TriClip™ System, Device to Repair Leaky Tricuspid Heart Valve
The structural heart team at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital (SBCH) now offers the TriClip™ transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) system, a minimally invasive therapy for treating patients with a leaky heart valve, known as tricuspid regurgitation or “TR.” SBCH is the first hospital on the Central Coast to provide this innovative therapy.
“We are proud to make this treatment option available to our patients who suffer from a leaky tricuspid valve,” said Michael Shenoda, MD, interventional cardiologist. “Previously, patients living with TR faced the prospect of invasive open-heart surgery. With this new option, we provide a less invasive alternative, marking a significant advancement in cardiac care."
TriClip™ is delivered to the heart through a vein in the leg. It clips together a portion of the tricuspid valve’s leaflets, reducing blood backflow. This minimally invasive approach allows the heart to pump blood more efficiently. It can relieve symptoms of TR, improving the quality of life for patients who might otherwise require an invasive procedure or go untreated.
“The TriClip™ system provides a significantly less invasive solution for patients living with tricuspid regurgitation,” said Joseph Aragon, MD, interventional cardiologist. “This advanced therapy elevates the standard of cardiac care we offer, allowing our patients to receive top-tier treatment without needing to travel out of the area.”
Tricuspid valve regurgitation is a condition in which the valve between the two right heart chambers (right ventricle and right atrium) doesn’t close properly, allowing blood to flow backward into the right atrium of the heart. The disease is often debilitating, causing symptoms such as shortness of breath and fatigue. If left untreated, this may progress into conditions such as atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure.
Traditionally, the only treatment options for TR have been open-heart surgery. The condition typically impacts older individuals who have multiple medical conditions, making open-heart surgery a high-risk procedure and resulting in many people going undertreated.
The Heart and Vascular Center at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital is a nationally recognized regional destination for cardiovascular expertise and medical management of complex heart and vascular conditions.
