Largo Hospital first on Florida's west coast to perform cardiovascular procedure

Largo, Fla. — HCA Florida Largo Hospital is the first on the West Coast of Florida to successfully perform an innovative procedure for a patient affected by severe tricuspid regurgitation. Tricuspid regurgitation is a valve disease in which the valve between the two right-sided heart chambers does not close properly. It affects 1.6 million people in the United States every year. Severe tricuspid regurgitation can ultimately lead to end-organ damage and right-side heart failure.

Transcatheter tricuspid valve repair using the repair system is a new structural heart procedure for patients with severe tricuspid valve regurgitation, which was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in April 2024. Historically, the only options for these patients would be open-heart surgery and if the patient was not a surgical candidate, symptoms would be managed by medications.

Dr. Saurabh Sanon, Dr. Stephanie Kemp and Dr. Chittoor B Sai Sudhaker led the cardiovascular cath lab team at HCA Florida Largo Hospital in performing this innovative procedure that will now expand treatment opportunities for this patient population.

Patient Lucien Bouchard, an 87-year-old male, had severe tricuspid regurgitation and was experiencing dizziness, fatigue, shortness of breath with activity and lower extremity swelling. Dr. Sanon and team utilized this minimally invasive option that is uniquely designed to repair the leaky valve without the need for open-heart surgery.

"I am thrilled to announce our team's first commercial transcatheter tricuspid valve repair procedure. This breakthrough procedure signifies a major leap forward in treating tricuspid valve regurgitation and has the potential to offer new minimally invasive treatment options for a wider range of patients suffering from this condition", shared Dr. Saurabh Sanon, Structural Interventional Cardiologist and Regional Medical Director of Structural Heart Therapies for West Florida Division of HCA Florida Healthcare.

“At HCA Florida Largo Hospital, we serve as a regional referral center for patients with heart disease. I am incredibly proud of our team and how they consistently bring the best and most advanced treatment options to our patients right here in West Florida,” shared Dr. Sebastian Strom, CEO of HCA Florida Largo Hospital.