Saint Agnes first in the Valley to utilize TriClip™ TEER system

Fresno, CA — Saint Agnes Medical Center is the first hospital, between Stockton and Bakersfield, to perform a procedure utilizing TriClip™ Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair (TEER) system to treat severe tricuspid regurgitation.

On Thursday, August 15, 2024, the first TEER procedure was successfully performed by Cardiologist Usman Javed, MD, of The Heart Group, at Saint Agnes.

Approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in April 2024, the TEER procedure offers patients with tricuspid regurgitation a low-risk, non-surgical treatment option to help repair their leaky valve and improve quality of life. TriClip™ is delivered to the heart via a catheter inserted through the femoral vein in the leg and works by clipping together a portion of the leaflets of the tricuspid valve to reduce the backflow of blood.

“Individuals who are candidates for TriClip™ are really sick with an elevated risk for surgery meaning if they were to undergo open heart surgery they would likely not survive,” says Dr. Javed. “This procedure helps them improve quality of life, functionality and decrease their need for future hospitalizations.”

Historically, medical therapies have had little effect on treating tricuspid regurgitation, and traditional surgeries are seldom performed due to significant operative risk. The TriClip™ device provides a much-needed treatment option for people suffering from this condition.

“Before this, we felt that a lot of heart patients had no option but to travel up north or down south for care,” says Dr. Javed. “These are sick patients and for many, travel is not an option. To have this technology in Fresno and keep patients where they like to be and let them be treated so close to home is huge.”

“Saint Agnes is proud to be at the forefront of cardiovascular treatment,” says John Evanko, MD, Chief Medical Officer. “Thanks to advancements like the TriClip™ system, we are able to increase our service offerings and provide the most effective treatment for our patients right here at home. As the Valley grows, we are seeing an increase in the complexity of our patients’ medical needs, which is why we’re proud to be on the cutting edge of medical and technological advancements.”