Tricuspid regurgitation, a condition in which the heart’s tricuspid valve leaks blood backward into the right atrium, has historically been one of the most undertreated problems in cardiology. For patients with severe tricuspid regurgitation who were too high-risk for open-heart surgery, the options were limited. That is no longer the case.
The Edwards EVOQUE Transcatheter Tricuspid Valve Replacement (TTVR) System is now offered at the Stanley W. Ekstrom Valve Center at Providence St. Joseph Hospital, through the structural heart program led by Dr. Brian Kolski and the OCHI team.
What Is the EVOQUE System?
The EVOQUE system is the world’s first minimally invasive transcatheter option for replacing the tricuspid valve in patients with symptomatic severe tricuspid regurgitation who remain symptomatic despite optimal medical therapy. It is designed to fully replace the damaged native valve without requiring open-heart surgery.
How the Procedure Works
A small puncture is made in the groin to access the femoral vein. A catheter is then guided to the heart, where the EVOQUE delivery system is advanced across the tricuspid valve and positioned for deployment. Once placed, the new valve replaces the diseased native valve entirely.
The procedure takes about two hours on average, and most patients go home within a few days. Everything is performed in the cath lab at St. Joseph Hospital.
Left untreated, severe tricuspid regurgitation can cause liver damage, congestive heart failure, and serious heart rhythm problems. For patients without good surgical options, EVOQUE offers a real path forward.
What the Clinical Data Shows
The TRISCEND II trial, a prospective multicenter randomized controlled study, showed that patients treated with EVOQUE had sustained improvements in quality of life, exercise capacity, and functional status compared to those on medical therapy alone. Two-year data presented at the 2026 American College of Cardiology Annual Scientific Session confirmed near-elimination of tricuspid regurgitation and significantly lower all-cause mortality when accounting for patient crossover.
Available Now at St. Joseph Hospital
Dr. Kolski and the OCHI structural heart team have been at the forefront of tricuspid valve care in Orange County for years. The St. Joseph Hospital Structural Heart Disease Program now lists EVOQUE TTVR among the therapies available for patients for whom open surgery and other repair approaches are not the right fit.
If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with severe tricuspid regurgitation, call our office to find out whether EVOQUE may be an option.
Learn more about the procedure: St. Joseph Hospital Structural Heart Disease Program
Learn more about the EVOCQUE Valve: Edwards EVOQUE for Patients