Hospital da Luz Coimbra successfully performed the first procedures in Portugal using the new generation devices MitraClip TM and TriClip TM , representing a significant advance in the percutaneous treatment of cardiac valve diseases . These diseases consist in alterations of the heart valves that hinder the normal flow of the blood within that organ. Three patients with severe tricuspid insufficiency and a patient with severe mitral insufficiency were treated, all of them facing high surgical risk, the conventional cardiac surgery presenting excessive risk. The procedures were conducted without complication, and all patients were discharged from hospital the day after, thus evidencing the safety and efficacy of this minimally invasive approach. Multidisciplinary medical team The procedures were conducted by the structural interventional cardiology team of Hospital da Luz Coimbra (in the photo above), including Marco Costa (coordinator of the Interventional Cardiology Unit), Luís Paiva , and Manuel Santos, with the support of Ana Botelho and Joana Gonçalves. “These cases represent an important step in the evolution of valvulopathy treatment. The new generation devices allow us to offer safe and efficient solutions to patients who had no therapeutical alternative”, states Marco Costa. The main causes of valvular disease are ageing, cardiac infection (namely endocarditis), rheumatic fever, congenital malformation, or natural degeneration. Patients typically complain of persistent fatigue, shortness of breath, palpitation, chest pain, dizziness, or swollen ankles. These procedures applied at Hospital da Luz Coimbra are especially indicated for patients presenting higher risk in conventional surgery, due to age or other health conditions. The edge-to-edge technique consists in a controlled approach of the valve cusps through a small clip, correcting the blood reflow and restoring the adequate functioning of the valve. Performed percutaneously, with no need of an open surgery or extracorporeal circulation, this approach allows faster recovery, shorter hospitalization period, and reduced risk of complication. Among the main advantages are lower surgical risk, faster recovery, and the immediate improvement of symptoms, such as shortness of breath and fatigue. With these pioneering procedures, Hospital da Luz Coimbra reinforces its position as a national reference in the adoption of cutting-edge technologies and the development of individualized treatments for complex structural cardiac diseases.
