Innovative
Transcatheter technique offers new hope for patients with severe Mitral valve
calcification who have no safe treatment options.

Chennai, 7th October 2025 : In a historic achievement, Kauvery Hospital,
Chennai, has successfully performed the world’s first transcatheter
mitral valve replacement (TMVR) with an extended external wrap and atrialized
implant through femoral vein (groin) access on an 83-year-old patient who
had been considered “inoperable” by multiple cardiac surgeons.

The patient had multiple comorbidities and had recurrent
hospital admissions due to heart failure caused by severe Mitral Valve
dysfunction caused by severe Mitral Annular Calcification (MAC). As she
had  undergone radiotherapy to the chest twice in the past – first for
cancer of the esophagus, and later following breast cancer surgery, any form of
open-heart surgery or even minimally invasive surgical approaches was deemed
too dangerous. Several cardiothoracic surgeons in India across major centers
had declined surgery, leaving the patient without options.

Severe Mitral Annular Calcification (MAC) – is a condition where heavy calcium deposits build up
around the mitral valve of the heart. The mitral valve works like a door that
opens and closes to regulate blood flow from left upper chamber (atrium) to
lower chamber (ventricle). In MAC, this “doorframe” becomes rock-hard, jammed
with calcium, making the valve unable to function properly. Patients develop
severe breathlessness, fatigue, and heart failure. Surgery is usually very
risky because stitching a new valve into this calcified ring can cause cracks,
bleeding, or failure of the new valve. Standard catheter-based methods are also
unsafe because the valve cannot be securely anchored.

“To overcome these challenges, we developed a first-of-its-kind
trans-catheter technique. A replacement valve was modified with an external
wrap to ensure secure fixation and prevent leaks. It was then implanted in
a slightly higher-than-usual position (atrialized implant) for proper
anchoring, preventing leak around valve and preventing obstruction to left
ventricular outflow tract (LVOT). Previously reported procedures were completed
through ope heart surgery, with direct implantation through left atrium. Most
importantly in this case, the entire procedure was completed through the right
femoral vein in the groin, avoiding the need to open the chest. Patient
recovered well from the procedure and was discharged home after a week. This
is the world’s first case of its kind and it gives new hope to similar
high-risk patients globally,” said Dr Rajaram
Anantharaman, Senior Interventional
Cardiologist at Kauvery hospital Alwarpet, Chennai

 Dr. Aravindan
Selvaraj, Co-founder & Executive Director, Kauvery Hospital, added:
 “This milestone is a testament to
innovation, courage, and teamwork. To perform such a complex,
first-in-the-world procedure on an elderly patient who was otherwise without
options reflects our mission — to bring world-class, life-saving care to those
who need it most. With this success, India has once again proven its place at
the forefront of global medical excellence.”

The woman has made a good recovery and is under regular
follow-up care. This achievement serves as a “proof of concept” that can now be
adopted worldwide for patients with similar high-risk profiles.