As part of the Apollo clinical trial, a team of Wash U physicians successfully completed a transseptal transcatheter mitral valve replacement at Barnes-Jewish Hospital. Washington University is the only participating Missouri location for the trial.
The surgical team included the Cardiovascular Division’s Dr. Alan Zajarias, Dr. Marc Sintek, Dr. Majesh Makan, and Dr. Sam Lindner as well as the Department of Surgery’s Dr. Puja Kachroo. Dr. John Lasala, Dr. Nishath Quader, and Dr. Spencer Melby also participated in evaluation and treatment of the patient.
The Apollo trial is open “to patients with severe mitral valve regurgitation who are not good candidates for mitraclip and are felt to be good candidates for this procedure during a multidisciplinary discussion”, says Dr. Zajarias. In the procedure, the patient’s mitral valve is replaced going through the femoral vein.
Dr. Zajarias notes that “Until recently, the other option was a transapical procedure that was much more morbid and painful.”
The patient was discharged from the hospital and is doing well.