Advancing Cardiac Care with the EVOQUE Tricuspid Valve Replacement System
Capital Cardiology Associates has performed the first implantation of the EVOQUE Tricuspid Valve Replacement System from Edwards Lifesciences in the Capital Region, marking a significant milestone in bringing next-generation, minimally invasive cardiac technology to local patients. The procedure took place at Albany Medical Center Hospital and underscores our ongoing commitment to innovation and advanced training in structural heart therapy.
The EVOQUE Tricuspid Valve Replacement System represents a major advancement for patients with severe symptomatic tricuspid regurgitation (TR), a condition historically considered difficult to treat. The tricuspid valve, located between the right atrium and right ventricle, may become incompetent and fail to close properly, allowing blood to flow backward into the right atrium. This regurgitation places strain on the heart and can lead to symptoms such as fatigue, swelling, liver congestion, and right-sided heart failure, significantly impairing quality of life. Many patients with severe TR have been considered inoperable due to the high risk of traditional open-heart surgery.
The EVOQUE system offers a transformative alternative. Using a transcatheter approach, the system replaces the failing native tricuspid valve with a self-expanding nitinol frame housing a tri-leaflet valve made of bovine pericardial tissue. It is delivered via transfemoral venous access, eliminating the need for open surgery. Once positioned, the device expands and anchors securely within the native valve, with a fabric skirt that helps seal the interface and minimize paravalvular leakage, resulting in immediate reduction in regurgitation.
The device received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval in 2024 under Premarket Approval (PMA) number P230013. According to FDA-reviewed data and findings from the TRISCEND II pivotal trial, the EVOQUE system achieved moderate or less residual TR in nearly all patients, with many showing marked improvement in symptoms, exercise capacity, and quality of life within weeks of implantation. These results have been consistent across leading centers in the United States and Europe, supporting the system’s safety and efficacy in a broad patient population.
© Edwards Lifesciences Corporation
Performing this advanced procedure required extensive training and certification, as outlined by the manufacturer. Success with the EVOQUE system depends on precise pre-procedural imaging, careful patient selection, and expert procedural execution. The intervention was made possible through the Heart Team model, involving collaborative planning by interventional cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, imaging specialists, and anesthesiologists to ensure optimal patient outcomes.
The implantation was performed by Dr. Augustin DeLago and Dr. Kamal Singh of Capital Cardiology Associates at Albany Medical Center Hospital. Both physicians are leaders in interventional and structural heart care and have extensive experience in pioneering minimally invasive procedures. This milestone reflects Capital Cardiology Associates’ leadership in bringing advanced cardiovascular therapies to the Capital Region.
Typical hospital stays following EVOQUE implantation range from two to three days, with recovery driven largely by patients' overall health status rather than the procedure itself. Early local experience aligns with national data, showing steady recovery and low complication rates. These outcomes highlight the minimally invasive nature of the therapy and its favorable recovery profile.
For patients in the Capital Region, this development provides access to a groundbreaking therapy for a once-untreatable condition—without the need to travel to distant academic centers. The introduction of the EVOQUE system supports Capital Cardiology Associates’ mission to deliver cutting-edge, evidence-based care, reduce procedural risk, and improve the lives of patients with complex cardiovascular disease.
As data continues to emerge, early outcomes suggest the EVOQUE system will become a cornerstone treatment for symptomatic severe TR. Capital Cardiology Associates remains at the forefront of heart valve innovation, clinical research, and physician education, ensuring the Capital Region remains a leader in the future of cardiovascular care.
Sources:
U.S. Food & Drug Administration, Premarket Approval (PMA) P230013
Edwards Lifesciences, official EVOQUE product information
TRISCEND II pivotal trial data (via Edwards Lifesciences)
Peer-reviewed publication: Transfemoral Tricuspid Valve Replacement and One-Year Outcomes (PubMed)
Industry and media reports on 2024 FDA approval milestone
Disclaimer:
This article is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The EVOQUE Tricuspid Valve Replacement System is indicated for patients with symptomatic severe tricuspid regurgitation despite optimal medical therapy, when valve replacement is deemed appropriate by a multidisciplinary Heart Team. Patient eligibility must be determined by a qualified healthcare provider. Individual results may vary. Complete prescribing information, including indications, contraindications, and procedural guidelines, is available from Edwards Lifesciences and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
EVOQUE™ is a trademark of Edwards Lifesciences Corporation. All graphic assets are used with permission and provided courtesy of Edwards Lifesciences.
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