Seattle-based UW Medicine Heart Institute cardiologist performed a first-of-its-kind procedure — retrieving and replacing a clip device from a patient's mitral valve with only a catheter.
Previously, this procedure could only be performed via open surgery, according to a May 12 hospital news release. The patient was a 76-year-old man whose mitral valve clip was not functioning properly. The man was not a good candidate for an additional clip and was not eligible for surgery.
James McCabe, MD, the lead cardiologist on the procedure, contacted Edwards Lifescience, a company that makes replacement valves. The company is currently doing clinical trials of a catheter-placed mitral valve. Dr. McCabe was unable to include the patient in a trial, but after six weeks, received an FDA Compassionate Use exemption to move forward with the procedure.
The procedure took place April 27 under Dr. McCabe, with assistance from Gabriel Aldea, MD, and David Elison, MD. The patient was discharged in mid-May, and his new mitral valve is functioning well, according to the report.