Penn State Health debuts EVOQUE valve in Central Pa.

• Penn State Health pioneers EVOQUE valve use in central Pa.

• Minimally invasive treatment for severe tricuspid regurgitation

• Procedure avoids open-heart surgery and shortens recovery time

Penn State Health recently became the first health system in Central Pennsylvania to successfully implant the new Edwards EVOQUE tricuspid valve replacement system. 

The minimally invasive procedure was performed in April at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center.  

According to a release, the EVOQUE system is the first and only transcatheter therapy approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR), a condition sometimes referred to as a “leaky valve.” In patients with TR, the tricuspid valve does not close properly, allowing blood to flow backward and placing significant strain on the heart. Symptoms can include shortness of breath, swelling in the abdomen and ankles, abnormal heart rhythms, and can progress to heart failure or even sudden cardiac death​ if left untreated. 

“This procedure offers new hope to patients who previously had limited or no treatment options for tricuspid regurgitation,” Dr. Mark Kozak, interventional cardiologist and structural heart physician at Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, said in a statement. “The EVOQUE system allows us to replace the faulty valve without open-heart surgery, significantly improving symptoms like shortness of breath and fatigue while enhancing patients’ quality of life.” 

The EVOQUE valve is implanted through a small incision in the groin, avoiding the need for a large chest incision. Made from bovine heart tissue, the valve is designed to eliminate backflow of blood into the heart. This minimally invasive approach allows patients to experience less pain, shorter hospital stays, and faster recoveries. 

“The introduction of this new therapy underscores Penn State Health’s commitment to bringing the latest advancements in heart care to our community,” said Dr. Moses Mathur, interventional cardiologist and structural heart physician at Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. “It’s another example of how we’re leading the way in offering the most advanced, patient-centered treatments in Central Pennsylvania.”