CIS Becomes First in Acadiana to Use FDA-Approved TriClip™ Valve Repair System

Lafayette, LA – Dr. John Lawrence, Interventional Cardiologist at Cardiovascular Institute of the South (CIS), became the first in Acadiana to perform the FDA-approved TriClip™ procedure. The procedure took place on February 19th at Ochsner Lafayette General Medical Center.

Approved by the FDA in April 2024, Abbott’s TriClip™ Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair (TEER) System is a minimally invasive therapy designed to treat a leaky tricuspid valve, a condition known as tricuspid regurgitation (TR). The TriClip™ (TEER) System offers patients an alternative to open-heart surgery, demonstrating proven safety, effectiveness, and quality-of-life benefits.

“Transcatheter tricuspid valve interventions are a rapidly evolving field in structural cardiology,” said Dr. Lawrence. “Tricuspid valve pathology has historically been undertreated due to limited surgical options. However, severe tricuspid regurgitation has significant clinical implications, and medical management is often not enough. With the advent of TriClip, we now have a safe, minimally invasive repair option—an exciting treatment to offer our patients.”

Tricuspid regurgitation occurs when the valve between the right atrium and right ventricle does not close properly, causing blood to flow backward into the atrium. This can lead to shortness of breath, fatigue, swelling, and reduced heart function. If left untreated, TR can progress to atrial fibrillation (AFib), heart failure, or even death.

The Structural Heart Program at CIS provides minimally invasive procedures to treat life-threatening valve disorders and structural heart defects. CIS physicians are at the forefront of providing the latest technology to treat patients and improve outcomes.