CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Hospital – New Braunfels offers minimally invasive heart valve procedure

CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Hospital – New Braunfels is recognizing American Heart Month in February by educating patients about a nonsurgical repair procedure of the heart’s mitral valve that is available as an option to traditional open-heart surgery.

The noninvasive procedure, called a transcatheter mitral valve repair, or MitraClip, enables doctors to repair a valve through a small incision in a leg vein with no need to open the chest. As a result, recovery time is reduced to a little more than a week versus six to eight weeks for traditional open-heart surgery.

“Leading the field in cardiology and heart surgery for this community is truly an honor for all of us,” said Dr. Brannon Hyde, cardiovascular surgeon with CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Health System. “The MitraClip procedure is just one pillar of excellent service we provide to the community. The ability to offer such a robust cardiology program in the New Braunfels community means our patients can stay here and be cared for close to home.”

He said the procedure is used to treat significant mitral regurgitation, which happens when the heart’s mitral valve is not working properly, causing the lungs to become congested from reverse blood flow. This can lead to a life-threatening and debilitating condition. Previously, the only other available treatment options were either medication or open-heart surgery.

“This is a safe and highly effective procedure, allowing patients to avoid open-heart surgery,” Hyde said. “Patients will feel immediate relief, and this helps to improve their quality of life.”

Mitral regurgitation is a common cardiac condition, so it is vital to offer a less invasive treatment option. The MitraClip is a small clip that is attached to the mitral valve to help it close, avoiding regurgitation or leakiness.

“I am so proud of the work our team is doing to ensure the safety and well-being of our patients,” said Genifer Rucker, president of CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Hospital – New Braunfels. “Our team continues to exemplify our mission by offering the most comprehensive and compassionate care in the New Braunfels community.”