Inova introduces minimally invasive tricuspid valve replacement to the region

Inova’s Structural Heart and Valve Disease Program is among the region’s first to offer transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement (TTVR). This exciting milestone expands the range of minimally invasive cardiac procedures available at Inova to now include not only tricuspid valve repair but also replacement of the valve.

“This is the first replacement technology alternative to open heart surgery for the tricuspid valve,” said Matthew Sherwood, MD, MHS, Director of Interventional Cardiology at Inova and Co-Director of Inova’s Structural Heart Disease Program. “Very few centers have adopted it so far, in part because there are certain administrative hoops to jump through, so we are among the first to actually use it. We’re excited to bring this new treatment option to our patients.”

With the addition of TTVR, Inova offers one of the region’s most comprehensive slate of minimally invasive options for treating aortic valve disease, mitral valve disease and tricuspid valve disease. Instead of needing to undergo open heart surgery for valve repair and replacement, certain patients can now benefit from minimally invasive techniques using small incisions to guide a catheter through their veins and use tiny instruments to replace heart valves as an alternative to open heart surgery. These procedures typically offer a lower risk of complications, shorter hospital stays, faster recovery and a quicker return to normal activities.

As valve disease increases, structural heart expertise matters more than ever

In February, the American Heart Association released some startling projections. More than half – six out of every 10 – Americans are expected to have heart disease by 2050. And the rates of valve disease are projected to double by 2040 and triple by 2060. Access to a team-based approach to care like Inova’s is key to catching valve disease early, which generally results in better outcomes.

Inova leads the way in minimally invasive heart valve expertise, with patient volumes in the top 2% of hospitals nationwide. Key to the program’s success is the collaboration among Inova’s interventional cardiologists, cardiac surgeons and advanced imaging cardiologists, who accurately diagnose these problems and provide the image guidance necessary to execute these procedures.

“It’s that collaboration among the experts within our valve program that makes us truly excellent,” Dr. Sherwood said.

How TTVR changes the treatment landscape for tricuspid valve regurgitation

Compared to the heart’s aortic valve and mitral valve, treatment options for the tricuspid valve have historically been limited to two extremes. On one hand, symptoms like shortness of breath, fatigue and swelling in the feet or ankles could be treated with medication to reduce extra fluid in the body. If medication was not effective, the other option was open heart surgery. 

That changed in 2024, when the FDA approved two new technologies to treat tricuspid valve disease: the TriClip device and the EVOQUE replacement valve. The EVOQUE valve works for healthier patients and higher risk patients who don’t qualify for the TriClip procedure. Having access to both technologies has broadened the horizons and given the team more tools to treat tricuspid valve patients effectively.

Inova’s high volume means our structural heart specialists are among the most experienced at using these technologies. “We can give more patients a chance at a therapy that might not be available at other centers,” Dr. Sherwood noted. “We are equipped to provide a broader range of solutions because we have so much   experience.”

Inova is one of the largest transcatheter mitral programs in the country and is among the top 10 tricuspid valve programs in the nation by volume. Our team uses the latest technology so that we can treat patients who might not otherwise have access to minimally invasive treatment options.

What this means for you

Inova now offers access to and has experience with the full range of technologies for valvular heart disease including tricuspid disease. With the advent of transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement, Inova’s comprehensive structural heart program offers the latest options in minimally invasive tricuspid, mitral and aortic valve procedures as well as pulmonary valve procedures. This gives patients with valve disease more options – even those who were not good candidates for other types of treatments.

“We’re delighted to now be able to offer minimally invasive TTVR surgery to our tricuspid patients, building on our existing success for mitral and aortic valve patients,” Dr. Sherwood said.