81-Year-Old Patient Finds New Lease on Life After Minimally Invasive Heart Valve Replacement

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After experiencing heart trouble 13 years ago, 81-year-old Mary Snooks recently underwent a groundbreaking minimally invasive tricuspid valve replacement procedure at Loma Linda University Medical Center-Murrieta. The EVOQUE Tricuspid Valve Replacement, delivered through a catheter, helped correct Snooks' leaky valve and improve her heart failure symptoms without the need for extensive open-heart surgery. Snooks' case highlights the rise of less invasive cardiac therapies and the promising future of personalized, technology-driven heart care.

Why it matters

Snooks' story underscores the importance of early detection and proactive heart health management, especially for those with a family history of cardiac issues. Her experience also demonstrates the life-changing potential of innovative minimally invasive procedures, which are transforming the field of cardiac care by offering faster recovery times and better outcomes for high-risk patients.

The details

The EVOQUE Tricuspid Valve Replacement procedure involves inserting a catheter through the femoral vein to deliver a self-expanding replacement valve, correcting the leak without the need for open-heart surgery. This approach is particularly beneficial for patients like Snooks, where treating the tricuspid valve can simultaneously improve heart failure symptoms and manage arrhythmias.

• Snooks first experienced heart trouble 13 years ago in 2013, when she underwent an initial stent placement to address coronary artery disease.
• Snooks was recently diagnosed with right-sided heart failure due to a leaky tricuspid valve, leading her to Loma Linda University Medical Center-Murrieta.

What they’re saying

What’s next

Doctors at Loma Linda University Medical Center-Murrieta will continue to monitor Snooks' progress and provide ongoing care to ensure the long-term success of her tricuspid valve replacement.