John Muir Health Cardiologists Offer Innovative Repair for Leaky Heart Valves

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 7, 2025

(Concord, CA) -John Muir Health interventional cardiologists are utilizing a new minimally invasive therapy to treat patients with a leaky tricuspid valve, a condition known as tricuspid regurgitation (TR), without the need for open-heart surgery. The procedure uses a device called the TriClip transcatheter edge-to-edge repair system.

During this procedure, the interventional cardiologist inserts the TriClip device into the femoral vein in the leg and sends it via catheter to the heart where it clips together a portion of the leaflets of the tricuspid valve to reduce the backflow (regurgitation) of blood. This allows the heart to pump blood more efficiently and relieves symptoms of TR, which improves quality of life for patients.

"John Muir Health interventional cardiologists are proud to be on the forefront of new and innovative procedures for our patients," explained Medical Director, John Muir Health Cardiovascular Catheterization Lab, Dr. Faizul Haque, who performs the TriClip procedure at John Muir Health. "Minimally invasive heart procedures like this one have proven to be safe and effective while improving the lives of our patients."

Tricuspid valve regurgitation is a condition in which the valve between the two right heart chambers (right ventricle and right atrium) don't close properly, allowing blood to flow backward into the right atrium of the heart. The disease is often debilitating, causing symptoms such as shortness of breath and fatigue, and when left untreated, may progress into conditions such as atrial fibrillation (AF), heart failure and, ultimately, death.

Traditionally, the only treatment options for TR have been open heart surgery, which is rarely performed due to the complexity of the procedure and high risks involved, and medical therapy, which is not always effective. Inserting the TriClip device using a minimally invasive procedure provides a much-needed treatment option for people suffering from this condition.

John Muir Health offers a full spectrum of cardiovascular services at both its Concord and Walnut Creek Medical Centers, with physicians located throughout Contra Costa and Alameda counties. The health system's cardiovascular programs and expert medical staff have earned numerous awards and recognitions, demonstrating their commitment to and success in implementing a higher standard of care for heart disease. John Muir Health's Concord and Walnut Creek Medical Centers are also designated as Contra Costa County STEMI Receiving Centers for severe heart attack patients. For more information about John Muir Health's cardiovascular services, visit johnmuirhealth.com/services/cardiovascular-services.