World’s First at Kauvery Hospital | 83-Year-Old Woman Gets Life-Saving Mitral Valve Hybrid Procedure
Chennai, 6th October 2025 – In a groundbreaking medical feat, Kauvery Hospital, Chennai, has successfully performed the world’s first transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR) with an extended external wrap and atrialized implant via femoral vein access on an 83-year-old woman deemed “inoperable” by leading cardiac surgeons.
The patient, who suffered from severe Mitral Valve dysfunction due to heavy Mitral Annular Calcification (MAC), had undergone radiotherapy to the chest twice in the past and was rejected for surgery by multiple hospitals due to her high-risk condition. Traditional open-heart or even minimally invasive surgical options were considered too dangerous.
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MAC, a condition where calcium deposits harden the area around the mitral valve, poses serious challenges for both surgery and catheter-based interventions. The calcified "ring" makes it extremely difficult to securely place a new valve, increasing the risk of complications.
To address this, the cardiology team at Kauvery Hospital developed a first-of-its-kind technique, modifying the replacement valve with an external wrap for stability and leak prevention. The valve was then implanted in a higher (atrialized) position to avoid obstruction of blood flow and securely anchor it, all through a minimally invasive approach via the right groin—bypassing the need for chest surgery.
“This is the world’s first such procedure completed entirely through the femoral vein,” said Dr. Rajaram Anantharaman, Senior Interventional Cardiologist at Kauvery Hospital. “The patient recovered well and was discharged within a week, offering new hope for high-risk patients worldwide.”
Dr. Aravindan Selvaraj, Co-founder & Executive Director, highlighted the significance of the achievement: “This success reflects our commitment to innovation and saving lives. It’s a proud moment not just for Kauvery Hospital but for Indian healthcare on the global stage.”
The patient continues to do well under regular follow-up, and this landmark case is expected to pave the way for similar high-risk interventions globally.
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