In a significant advancement for cardiac care in Arizona, HonorHealth recently became the first non-clinical trial site in the state to successfully perform an FDA-approved minimally invasive tricuspid valve replacement. The groundbreaking procedure, conducted at HonorHealth Scottsdale Shea Medical Center in December 2024, utilized the innovative Edwards EVOQUE system—the world’s first transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement therapy.

This revolutionary procedure represents a major leap forward in treating tricuspid regurgitation, using a catheter to implant an artificial, self-expanding tricuspid valve to prevent or reduce the backflow of blood into the upper right chamber of the heart.

“Roughly 1.6 million Americans have moderate to severe tricuspid regurgitation, but when discovered early, it can easily be managed. When it becomes moderate or severe, it can be life-limiting and potentially, life-threatening,” says Haidar Yassin, MD, an interventional cardiologist with HonorHealth Heart Care. “Through this treatment, we can improve quality of life, relieve symptoms such as tiredness, shortness of breath and fatigue.”

The successful implementation of this cutting-edge procedure builds upon HonorHealth’s established excellence in valve care. As Riana Kielly, hospital administrator at HonorHealth Scottsdale Shea Medical Center, explains, “HonorHealth Heart Care is a leader in aortic, mitral and pulmonary valve care, and this is the next logical step to provide complete heart care for our patients.”

The procedure’s success resulted from the collaborative efforts of a multidisciplinary team, including Dr. Yassin and Robert Riley, MD, network director of cardiothoracic surgery at HonorHealth Heart Care. Riana emphasizes the importance of teamwork: “These innovative procedures require collaboration between multiple specialists and teams before, during and after the procedure. At HonorHealth, we already have these teams in place.”

This milestone reinforces HonorHealth’s position as a leading healthcare provider in the greater Phoenix and Scottsdale areas, serving more than five million people with advanced medical solutions and pioneering treatments.

To learn more about HonorHealth Heart Care, please visit HonorHealth.com/heart.