Kerala Government Hospital Repairs Artificial Heart Valve Leak Without Open-Heart Surgery

Doctors at the Government Medical College Hospital in Thiruvananthapuram have successfully repaired a leak near an artificial heart valve in a 55-year-old woman using a minimally invasive catheter-based procedure, avoiding another open-heart surgery, officials said on Saturday.

Kerala Health Minister K Muraleedharan announced the procedure, which was jointly performed by the hospital’s cardiology, anaesthesia and cardiothoracic departments.

The woman had previously undergone surgery for severe heart disease, during which her mitral and aortic valves were replaced with artificial metal valves. A leak subsequently developed near the artificial mitral valve, requiring medical intervention.

Such complications can require complex surgery involving reopening the chest. In this case, doctors opted for a catheter-based technique to treat the leak without subjecting the patient to another major operation.

During the procedure, doctors inserted a thin catheter through the femoral vein in the patient’s leg and guided it towards the heart. A specialised plug was then used to seal the leak near the artificial mitral valve.

The technique avoided another chest incision and stitches associated with open-heart surgery. According to the minister, the approach also helped reduce the risks and recovery burden associated with a major surgical procedure.

Dr Mathew Iype, head of the hospital’s cardiology department, described the intervention as technically challenging and rare because the patient had two artificial heart valves. The presence of both prosthetic mitral and aortic valves added to the complexity of treating the leak, he said.

The procedure required coordination among the three departments. The cardiology team carried out the catheter-based intervention, while the anaesthesia and cardiothoracic departments contributed to the patient’s care and management of the complex cardiac condition.

The minister said the patient’s condition was satisfactory and that she was expected to be discharged soon. He congratulated the healthcare professionals involved in the procedure.

The intervention highlights the use of catheter-based techniques to manage selected complications involving artificial heart valves. Such procedures may provide an alternative to repeat open-heart surgery when doctors determine that the approach is suitable for the patient’s condition.

The hospital has not announced further details about the patient’s follow-up care or long-term outcome.