Oxford University Hospital carries out new 'miracle' heart procedure

Rosalind Walsh, 79, from Cheltenham, said the minimally invasive procedure had been "a miracle"

A patient who received a new minimally invasive treatment for a severe heart valve disorder has described it as a "miracle".

Oxford University Hospitals (OUH) said it carried out the country's first transcatheter tricuspid valve replacements (TTVR) in December.

The procedure was used to help sufferers of tricuspid regurgitation, a disorder in which a valve in the heart does not close properly.

Treatments had previously been limited.

Rosalind Walsh, 79, from Cheltenham, was one of two patients to undergo the treatment at John Radcliffe Hospital.

"Prior to the procedure, I felt very worried that my health problems would never go away - I was losing hope," she said.

The procedures were carried out at the Oxford Heart Centre

But following the operation, she said she could "now take on more challenges" and was looking forward to a "much brighter future".

"I feel privileged to have undergone TTVR, which has been a miracle for me," she said.

Patients with tricuspid regurgitation can often have symptoms such as fluid retention and breathlessness, with the condition being potential life threatening in some circumstances.

TTVR uses the only approved technology able to fully replace the tricuspid valve via a minimally invasive transcatheter .

The leaky tricuspid valve is replaced with a new valve that can be delivered via a leg vein under a light anaesthetic, avoiding the need for open heart surgery.

Sam Dawkins, a consultant interventional cardiologist at OUH who led on the procedure, said: "To carry out the first two procedures has been a huge step forward to provide meaningful treatment to this patient group.

"We are really excited to offer this technology safely, especially to people who have very few options and experience debilitating symptoms. It really is a breakthrough for them."

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