Bryan Heart is now offering patients a new treatment for tricuspid regurgitation, a heart valve disease that impacts up to 20 percent of people in the United States. The TriClip procedure provides a safe, minimally invasive solution to provide real, lasting improvements in patients with the disease.
Dr. Matt Johnson is a cardiologist with Bryan heart and says TR is a condition in which the tricuspid valve between the heart’s right atrium and right ventricle does not close properly, causing blood to flow backward into the right atrium.
“It reduces blood flow to the lungs, which forces the heart to work harder to pump blood. Symptoms include shortness of breath, fatigue and swelling. Over time, it can lead to more serious health complications, including heart failure.”
For many years, TR has been referred to as the “forgotten valve”. The condition is often underdiagnosed due to the complexity of the valve’s location and the health risks posed by traditional open-heart surgery to fix the issue, particularly in patients with multiple health conditions.
The TriClip is a device designed to treat TR by improving the function of the tricuspid valve. Unlike open-heart surgery, the TriClip procedure involves delivering the device through the femoral vein in the leg. It’s then placed in the heart, where it clips together the faulty leaflets of the tricuspid valve to reduce the backward flood of blood. The procedure provides significant relief to patients, relieving symptoms and promoting a quicker recovery time.
Joann Sieck is from Pleasant Dale and was the first patient to undergo the TriClip procedure at Bryan Heart in late October. Before the operation, Sieck was constantly short of breath and couldn’t do simple things like walk upstairs or carry groceries.
Now, she’s able to do those activities without issue. She attends cardiac rehab as part of her recovery plan to continue to enhance her strength, stamina and quality of life.
Photos: Bryan Health