St. Joseph’s Health has announced an expansion of its cardiac capabilities by adding the EVOQUE tricuspid valve replacement system, offering life-saving treatment to patients with severe tricuspid valve regurgitation.
The EVOQUE system is the first minimally invasive tricuspid valve replacement system for patients with symptomatic or severe tricuspid regurgitation. In this condition, the heart’s tricuspid valve, which sits between the two right heart chambers, does not close properly. This condition forces blood to flow backward into the right atrium of the heart, causing significant symptoms, including fatigue, swelling, and heart failure.
“St. Joseph’s Health is proud to offer this innovative treatment to our cardiac patients,” said Beth Kushner, DO, interim chief medical officer at St. Joseph’s Health. “We continue to expand access to advanced cardiovascular care and offer patients novel therapies and technologies that not only improve blood flow but enhance quality of life,” she said.
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This procedure replaces the damaged valve without requiring open-heart surgery. During the procedure, a catheter technique guides the replacement valve through the femoral artery. The EVOQUE system is designed to offer a minimally invasive option to replace the damaged tricuspid valve, reducing or eliminating regurgitation and improving symptoms.
“Introducing this procedure is an important milestone for our cardiovascular program, allowing our Structural Heart team to repair now or replace all four of the heart’s valves,” said Rahul Vasudev, MD, director, Structural Heart, at St. Joseph’s Health. “Our goal is to provide patients with high-quality, advanced treatment options, while giving specialized care right here in our community,” he said.
Benefits have also included faster recovery times and quicker return to daily activities.
Click here for more information about cardiac care at St. Joseph’s Health. Emma Hagedoorn is communications manager for St. Joseph’s Health.
