Cardiologists at the Gregorio Marañón University General Hospital, a public health center in Madrid, have successfully implanted a groundbreaking pulmonary valve in a patient with congenital heart disease using a pioneering approach in Spain. This innovative procedure offers an alternative to open-heart surgery, utilizing a minimally invasive catheterization technique that corrects structural malformations disrupting the connection between the heart and lungs.
Thanks to this new technology, the patient recovered quickly and without complications, which previously would have required surgery. Congenital heart diseases affect around 40,000 babies annually and 2.3 million adults worldwide. One in five individuals born with congenital heart disease suffers from these kinds of malformations.
Until now, such procedures in Spain could only be performed through surgery, particularly for patients needing larger valve sizes. The new adaptive valve, available through catheter implantation, now allows for a less invasive treatment approach. Mauricio Chiandussi, a 51-year-old patient, was the first to benefit from this procedure. He had undergone childhood surgery for tetralogy of Fallot, but his pulmonary valve needed replacing years later, hindering blood flow to his lungs.
The procedure, performed by a team of hemodynamists, cardiologists, and nurses, demonstrates the clinical success of this new valve system. Dr. Ricardo Sanz, an interventional cardiologist at the hospital, emphasized that the less invasive nature of this approach results in shorter hospital stays, less pain, and fewer complications. The experience from clinical trials has proven the valve’s adaptability to patients’ anatomy, offering a promising solution for those living with congenital heart conditions.
Article written by Salud a Diario Team
24/03/2025
Source:
Salud a Diario