Buffalo General Medical Center/Gates Vascular Institute Successfully Implants TriClip™, First-of-Its-Kind Device to Repair Leaky Tricuspid Heart Valve

The interventional cardiology team at Buffalo General Medical Center/Gates Vascular Institute, led by Dr. Vijay Iyer, MD, PhD, today announced the first successful implantation of the Abbott TriClip™ transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) system on a 49-year-old woman from Buffalo. Buffalo General Medical Center/Gates Vascular Institute is one of the first 15 sites nationwide and the first hospital in Western New York to have commercial access to TriClip™, which marks a revolutionary shift in treating patients with a leaky tricuspid valve, or tricuspid regurgitation (TR), eliminating the need for open-heart surgery. TriClip™ stands as the first FDA-approved therapy of its kind, boasting unparalleled safety and efficacy for patients.

"The introduction of the TriClip™ TEER system represents a significant advancement in our ability to combat tricuspid regurgitation, a condition historically fraught with limited treatment options and significant risks," said Dr. Vijay Iyer, MD, PhD, Director of Interventional Cardiology at Kaleida Health and interventional cardiologist with General Physician, PC. "By offering a minimally-invasive alternative to traditional open-heart surgery, the TriClip™ device not only mitigates the burdensome symptoms associated with TR but also marks a new era in precision medicine. This first successful implantation underscores the transformative potential of cutting-edge technologies in reshaping the landscape of cardiovascular care, reaffirming our commitment to delivering the highest standard of care to our patients."

TriClip™ is seamlessly delivered to the heart via a catheter inserted through the femoral vein in the leg. Its mechanism involves delicately clipping together a segment of the tricuspid valve leaflets, mitigating the backward flow of blood. Tailored for the intricacies of the right side of the heart and the tricuspid valve's anatomy, this cutting-edge system empowers physicians to precisely address valve dysfunction, thus optimizing cardiac function and alleviating symptoms of TR, substantially enhancing the quality of life for patients.

Tricuspid valve regurgitation, characterized by improper closure between the right ventricle and right atrium, exacts a heavy toll on individuals, manifesting in debilitating symptoms such as shortness of breath and fatigue. Left untreated, it may precipitate severe conditions like atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure, posing potentially fatal risks. Historically, treatment options were limited to high-risk open-heart surgery or ineffective long-term medical therapy. Abbott's TriClip™ device heralds a much-needed paradigm shift, offering a minimally invasive lifeline to those suffering from TR.

To learn more about the TriClip TEER system, visit buffalogeneral.org.