TriClip™ Procedure
Saint Alphonsus is proud to be the only health system in Idaho to offer TriClip™, a minimally invasive option for the treatment of tricuspid regurgitation.
The TriClip™ Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair (TEER) device is intentionally designed for the tricuspid valve to help interventional cardiologists treat tricuspid regurgitation (TR). TR occurs when the valve does not close properly; causing the blood to flow backward. The tricuspid valve is located on the right side of the heart between the right atrium and right ventricle. If the valve does not close properly, it can cause the heart to work harder which in turn can lead to shortness of breath and fatigue. Because of the location of the valve, treatment and procedures of the tricuspid valve were more challenging. In many cases the TriClip™ procedure allows for a less invasive approach to treating TR, potentially allowing patients to forgo open heart surgery.
Benefits of TriClip™:
- Significant tricuspid regurgitation reduction
- Increased safety
- Shorter procedure times
- Quicker recovery than traditional treatments
- Life-changing improvements in health-related quality of life post-procedure
What is Tricuspid Regurgitation
Heart valves are what allow blood to flow between the four chambers of the heart. Each valve has what is called a “leaflet” (a flap) that opens to allow blood to flow out and close it to keep blood from going back into the valve. When one of these flaps doesn’t close appropriately it allows blood to flow back in which causes regurgitation.