Government Hospital Doctors Perform Rare Catheter Procedure to Repair Artificial Valve Leak

Doctors at the Government Medical College Hospital in Thiruvananthapuram successfully treated a leak near an artificial heart valve in a 55-year-old woman using a minimally invasive catheter-based procedure, officials announced on Friday, October 17, 2026. The collaborative intervention by the cardiology, anaesthesia, and cardiothoracic departments successfully avoided the necessity of performing another complex open-heart surgery.

The patient had previously undergone a surgery for severe heart disease where her mitral and aortic valves were replaced with artificial metal valves, after which a new leak developed near the mitral valve. Instead of conducting an open-chest operation requiring incisions and stitches, medical personnel opted for the catheter technique. A thin catheter was inserted into the heart through the femoral vein in the leg, utilizing a specialized plug to seal the leak and reduce potential post-operative complications.

State Health Minister K. Muraleedharan commended the healthcare professionals involved in the achievement. Dr. Mathew Iype, head of the cardiology department, described the technique as technically challenging and rare for a patient possessing two artificial heart valves, noting it demonstrates the advancing capabilities of government medical colleges in Kerala. The patient remains in satisfactory condition and is expected to be discharged soon from the hospital.