Father Muller Hospital Successfully Treats Complex Heart Valve Dysfunction Using Minimally Invasive Procedure
Mangaluru: The Cardiology team at Father Muller Medical College Hospital, led by Dr. H. Prabhakar, Chief Interventional Cardiologist, successfully performed a complex catheter-based valve intervention on an elderly woman who presented with breathlessness due to the dysfunction of a previously surgically implanted heart valve. The procedure was performed in the fourth week of October 2026.
The patient had undergone surgical valve replacement a year earlier but subsequently developed progressive breathlessness and swelling of the lower limbs. Clinical evaluation and diagnostic investigations revealed severe dysfunction of the surgically implanted valve, resulting in significant cardiac compromise and advanced heart failure.
Explaining the clinical challenges involved, Dr. H. Prabhakar said that the conventional treatment option in such cases would be repeat valve replacement surgery. However, repeat cardiac surgery carries considerable procedural risks, particularly in elderly patients with compromised cardiac function. Therefore, a less invasive alternative, Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR), was considered.
The presence of a previously implanted surgical valve added considerable complexity to the procedure, requiring meticulous pre-procedural assessment and planning. Following a comprehensive evaluation, the medical team decided to proceed with TAVR.
The patient showed significant clinical improvement following the intervention and was able to mobilise within 24 hours of the procedure. Her postoperative recovery was uneventful, and she was discharged after five days, with marked improvement in her symptoms.
Dr. H. Prabhakar was assisted by Dr. Pradeep Pereira, Head of the Department of Cardiology; Dr. Anand K. T., Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgeon; Dr. Chetana Anand, Cardiac Anaesthesiologist; Dr. Jostol Pinto; and Dr. Ashoka, Cardiologist, along with the multidisciplinary cardiac care team at Father Muller Medical College Hospital.
Highlighting the hospital’s advanced cardiac infrastructure, Dr. Prabhakar said the institution is equipped with state-of-the-art technologies to manage complex cardiovascular conditions. These include the AVVIGO intravascular imaging system (IVUS) and ROTAPRO atherectomy system from Boston Scientific, USA, which support advanced coronary imaging and calcium modification during complex coronary interventions.
The hospital also has the Trinias catheterisation laboratory system from Shimadzu, Japan, which facilitates complex interventional cardiac procedures.
Rev. Fr. Faustine Lucas Lobo, Director of Father Muller Medical College Hospital, congratulated the Cardiology team and the supporting departments on their successful collaborative effort and appreciated their commitment to delivering advanced cardiac care.
This successful intervention highlights Father Muller Medical College Hospital’s growing expertise in complex structural heart procedures and its commitment to providing advanced, minimally invasive treatment options for patients with challenging cardiovascular conditions.