New Valve Repair Surgery First Performed at Baton Rouge General

BATON ROUGE, La. – Patients with a common heart valve problem have a new option in Baton Rouge. The first transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVR) with MitraClip therapy was performed at Baton Rouge General on Thursday, June 25 by BRG cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. V. Antoine Keller, and Dr. Pete Fail and Dr. Darrell Solet, interventional cardiologists with Cardiovascular Institute of the South.

Mitral regurgitation is a condition where the mitral valve doesn’t seal completely, allowing blood to leak backward inside the heart. Patients with this condition who are too sick to undergo open-heart surgery may be candidates for the less-invasive TMVR procedure.

“For patients with mitral regurgitation, the most common type of heart valve problem, this type of valve repair has changed the paradigm in their care,” said Dr. Keller. “Baton Rouge General’s Structural Heart Program is committed to providing our community with the very latest technology, which means shorter recovery times and less discomfort for patients.”

If the mitral valve regurgitation is significant, blood can't move through the heart or to the rest of the body as efficiently, making a patient feel tired or out of breath. Left untreated, severe mitral valve regurgitation can cause heart failure or heart rhythm problems.

The MitraClip device is a small clip that is implanted on the mitral valve. It is inserted through a catheter, without the need to temporarily stop the heart. The MitraClip treats mitral regurgitation by closing the center of the mitral valve. The implanted clip becomes a permanent part of the heart, allowing the mitral valve to close more tightly and reduce the backward flow of blood. With a properly working valve, patients should start to feel better soon after the procedure.

“I’m excited about expanding the structural heart portfolio at Baton Rouge General, which gives patients more options for valvular heart disease,” said Dr. Fail.

For more information, call (225) 955-9324 or visit brgeneral.org.

About Baton Rouge General Medical Center
Baton Rouge General Medical Center is the area’s first community hospital with 588 licensed beds between two campuses. Baton Rouge General opened its doors in 1900, and has provided the Greater Baton Rouge community with high-quality healthcare for generations. An accredited teaching hospital since 1991, Baton Rouge General serves as an affiliate of Tulane University School of Medicine, and offers other medical education programs, including a School of Nursing, School of Radiologic Technology, Family Medicine Residency Program, Internal Medicine Residency Program, and Sports Medicine Fellowship Program. For more information, visit BRGeneral.org, find us on Facebook at Facebook.com/BatonRougeGeneral and follow us on Twitter at @BRGeneral.

About Cardiovascular Institute of the South
Founded by Dr. Craig Walker in 1983, Cardiovascular Institute of the South (CIS) is a world-leader in preventing, detecting and treating cardiovascular and peripheral vascular disease. CIS offers a comprehensive heart and vascular program with expert physicians trained in many specialties, including internal medicine, nuclear cardiology, electrophysiology, lipid management, coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular disease, valve disease and interventional cardiovascular procedures. CIS has earned international acclaim as a pioneer of research, development and education, as well as an innovator in the treatment of peripheral vascular disease. With a dedicated team of more than 800 team members, CIS provides comprehensive cardiovascular care at 19 locations across Louisiana and Mississippi, with eight telemedicine programs. CIS remains at the forefront of technology, providing the highest-quality, compassionate care. This mission has guided the institute for more than 36 years of excellence. For more information about CIS, call 1-800-425-2565 or visit www.cardio.com.

###