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2 Dec 2010

Yesterday history was made at Tygerberg Hospital, when a thirty-eight (38) year old lady, who had a previous double valve replacement in 1989, received a tricuspid valve via a catheter that was inserted into her neck vein and then deployed inside her degenerated prosthesis.

A redo open valve replacement is a high risk operation and this procedure would hopefully be able to postpone her second open heart valve replacement by another ten years. As far as we know, it was the first time that this procedure was performed via this route.

Western Cape Minister of Health, Theuns Botha, said: "This operation demonstrates the advanced level of skills that we have in this province. I want to congratulate and thank every doctor and medical officer who played a part in its success."

A team of doctors from Tygerberg Hospital inserted an Edwards Sapien valve, which was generously donated, through a small incision in the patient's neck without opening her chest. She only received a light general anaesthesia and was awake and talking within half an hour at the end of the procedure. It is expected that she will be discharged within the next few days.

For more information contact:
Laticia Pienaar
Cell: 073 464 2034

Dr Hellmuth Weich
Cell: 084 6828 686

Media enquiries:
Helene Rossouw
Tel: 021 483 4426
Cell: 082 771 8834
Fax: 021 483 4143
Email: herossou@pgwc.gov.za

Source: Western Cape Provincial Government

Issued by: Western Cape Health
2 Dec 2010

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