A leaking heart valve, repaired without opening the chest: Naples surgeons perform a US first

Surgeons at the NCH Rooney Heart Institute in Naples, Florida, have performed the first tricuspid valve repair in the USA using Edwards Lifesciences' PASCAL Precision system since its approval by the Food and Drug Administration for this use. The tricuspid valve sits on the heart's right side; when it leaks — tricuspid regurgitation — blood flows backward, leaving patients exhausted, breathless and swollen by everyday effort. The repair is minimally invasive, delivered through a catheter rather than open-heart surgery. NCH treats more patients with this condition than any other centre in Florida and was the highest-enrolling trial site before approval. 'Having another minimally invasive treatment option allows us to better tailor care to each patient's needs,' said institute president Dr Robert Cubeddu, who led the procedure.

SDG 3 · Good health and well-being — Mechanism: tech innovation