New percutaneous techniques in cardiology are revolutionizing the way we treat heart disease. Unlike traditional surgery, which requires a large incision in the chest to access the heart, these procedures use a much smaller access route and are therefore less invasive. The word "percutaneous" literally means "through the skin," and that is precisely what these techniques achieve.
How do percutaneous techniques work?
Instead of opening the chest, a percutaneous procedure uses a small, flexible tube, called a catheter , which is inserted through an artery in the wrist or groin. With the help of real-time X-ray imaging, the catheter is carefully guided to the heart. Once the catheter has reached the area of the heart that needs treatment, a variety of procedures can be performed, from repairing valves to implanting devices, all without the need for major surgery.
The advantages: faster recovery and less risk
Percutaneous techniques offer several important advantages for patients, with recovery being the primary benefit. Because there is no large incision, patients experience:
Less pain : Post-operative pain is significantly less compared to open surgery.
Shorter hospital stay : Most patients can go home in one or two days.
Faster recovery : The return to normal life, work and physical activity is drastically accelerated.
Lower risk of complications : Being less invasive, the risks of infection, bleeding and other complications are considerably reduced.
Examples of innovative percutaneous treatments
Advances in this area are truly exciting and allow for the treatment of various heart conditions without opening the chest. Here are some examples of the most common procedures:
Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) : This technique is one of the most revolutionary. It allows for the replacement of a diseased aortic valve in patients with aortic stenosis without the need for open-heart surgery. The new valve is collapsed onto a catheter, inserted, and expanded in place of the old valve.
Mitral Valve Repair (MitraClip) : For patients with mitral valve regurgitation, the MitraClip is an option. It is a small device that joins the two leaflets of the valve together to create a better seal, reducing blood leakage.
Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO) Closure : A PFO is a small hole in the heart that sometimes doesn't close properly after birth. This can be a risk factor for some types of embolism. It can now be closed percutaneously, using a small device inserted with a catheter.
Who are candidates for a percutaneous technique?
Not all patients are candidates for these techniques. The decision as to whether a percutaneous procedure is the best option for a patient depends on several factors, including overall health, heart anatomy, and the type of disease they suffer from. For this reason, a thorough evaluation by a specialized medical team is essential.
The goal of modern cardiology is to offer patients the safest and most effective treatment option, allowing them to regain their quality of life as quickly as possible. Therefore, if you or a loved one has been diagnosed with heart disease, it may be helpful to consult your cardiologist about less invasive treatment options.
By Dr. Angélica Romero Daza, head of the Advanced Cardiac Imaging Unit at UICAR