A pioneering 'breakthrough' procedure to treat severe heart valve disease has been successfully performed for the first time in the UK at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (OUH).
The Transcatheter Tricuspid Valve Replacement (TTVR) procedure, which took place at the Oxford Heart Centre in December, offered new hope for two patients suffering from severe tricuspid regurgitation, a debilitating condition that can severely affect quality of life.
Tricuspid regurgitation is a disorder where tricuspid valve, a key component for controlling blood flow in the heart, does not function properly.
It can cause symptoms such as fluid retention and breathlessness, leading to poor-quality life and could even become life-threatening.
With previous treatment options limited and often involving high levels of risk, the new TTVR procedure is a significant step forward.
It allows full replacement of the tricuspid valve via a minimally invasive procedure.
The faulty valve is replaced with a new one which can be delivered via a leg vein under light anaesthesia, eliminating the need for open-heart surgery.
Patients do not require intensive care and can leave hospital within days.
Consultant interventional cardiologist at OUH, Sam Dawkins, who led 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."
Mr Dawkins also acknowledged the team effort and thanked Edwards Lifesciences for their help in achieving the result.
Oxford Hospitals Charity also provided aid, funding much of the high-tech equipment required for the procedure in the Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratory.
Dr Andrew Brent, chief medical officer at OUH, said: "We are delighted that we have been able to help these patients.
"It is our vision to provide the best care possible underpinned by high-quality research and innovation."
One of the patients to receive the treatment, Rosalind Walsh, 79 from Cheltenham, said: "I feel privileged to have undergone TTVR, which has been a miracle for me.
"I can now take on more challenges, and I am able to see a positive way forward and a much brighter future for me ahead."
Douglas Graham, chief executive officer at Oxford Hospitals Charity, said: "It is wonderful to hear of the hope this breakthrough will give so many patients who, thanks to this new procedure, can look forward to a significantly more positive future."
TTVR is now available as a treatment option at the OUH for patients with severe tricuspid regurgitation, with the expectation of dozens of patients being helped each year.
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