Mediclinic Pietermaritzburg is proud to announce a groundbreaking milestone in cardiac care.
The successful completion of KwaZulu Natal’s first Percutaneous Mitral Valve Implant procedure, making a significant advancement in minimally invasive cardiac procedure. The Percutaneous Mitral Valve Implant was performed by the cardiac multidisciplinary team at Mediclinic Pietermaritzburg, another milestone in cutting-edge cardiac care.
This life saving procedure was performed on 74-year-old Mrs Louisa Trent who had been experiencing severe breathlessness and extreme fatigue, to the extreme that completing a sentence felt like a tremendous effort. Mrs Trent described her condition as debilitating and shared that she felt as though she was merely “waiting to die”.
Little did she know that this innovative procedure would completely transform her life.
Just moments after waking up in recovery room, Mrs Trent was amazed to find that her shortness of breath had completely disappeared. Overcome with excitement, she described her experience as nothing short to miraculous. “She expressed deep gratitude to the entire team at Mediclinic Pietermaritzburg, praising the exceptional care she received from doctors, nurses and every staff member she encountered. “I cannot stop complimenting the whole team. From Doctors to the nurses and everyone who looked after me, the experience was simply amazing, she said.
About the procedure
According to Dr SU Maharaj, one of the lead interventional cardiologists involved, the percutaneous Mitral Valve Implantation is designed for patients who do not qualify for open heart surgery.
The procedure is performed percutaneously via the groin, allowing access to the heart without opening the chest. A small puncture is made using a percutaneous needle, creating a controlled passage from the right side of the heart to the left side. Through this pathway, the artificial valve is carefully guided and positioned across the mitral valve. Once deployed accurately, all instruments are removed allowing the patient to recover rapidly, often returning home the very next day.
Although the procedure is considered high risk and with complications, Dr Maharaj highlighted that in the experienced hands, it can be performed safely and effectively, offering patients a life-changing experience alternative to open heart surgery. This historic procedure was performed by the exceptional multidisciplinary cardiac team comprising of cardiologists Dr SU Maharaj, Dr Aine Mugabi, Cardiothoracic Surgeons Dr Chen, Dr Pillay, Anaesthetist Prof Turton, Cardiac Nursing Team, Perfusionists and Cardiac Technologists.
This is the same highly skilled cardiac team that has already completed over 130 Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implants (TAVI) procedure at Mediclinic Pietermaritzburg.
Doctors 1
