First Successful Transcatheter Tricuspid Valve Implantation in Ukraine
The team of the Heart Institute of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine has performed a landmark procedure: the first successful transcatheter tricuspid valve implantation in Ukraine.
Several years earlier, a 62‑year‑old patient underwent complex cardiac surgery at the Heart Institute, which included mitral valve replacement with a mechanical prosthesis, tricuspid valve replacement with a biological prosthesis, and coronary artery bypass grafting.
Following COVID‑19 infection, the patient’s condition progressively deteriorated. In the spring of 2025, she presented with worsening symptoms, including dyspnea and facial cyanosis. Diagnostic evaluation revealed combined aortic valve pathology, dysfunction of the tricuspid bioprosthesis, and atrial fibrillation.
Given the high risk associated with repeat open-heart surgery (Euroscore – 11.07%, STS – 24.8%), the multidisciplinary team led by Professor Borys Todurov, Director of the Heart Institute, elected to proceed with staged minimally invasive interventions: transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) followed by transcatheter tricuspid valve implantation (TTVI). A permanent pacemaker was also implanted.
Both procedures were successfully performed under local and intravenous anesthesia. The patient was discharged home one week later with significant improvement in functional status and quality of life.
Transcatheter tricuspid valve implantation is an emerging technique worldwide. The Heart Institute remains at the forefront of introducing and advancing endovascular technologies in Ukraine.
Heart Institute Team: Andriy Khokhlov, Oleg Zelenchuk, Mykola Stan, Natalia Ponych, Serhiy Sudakevych, Maria Slyubyk, Tetyana Kasapova, Yulia Motko.
Heart Institute – Preserving Life’s Greatest Value!