Bengaluru, October 16th 2025: Fortis Hospital, Bannerghatta Road, has achieved a world-first by successfully performing a minimally invasive heart valve replacement on a 65-year-old woman who had previously undergone valve repair with a support ring. Due to repeated valve failures and being deemed high-risk for open-heart surgery, the patient was not a suitable candidate for traditional treatment. In a groundbreaking approach, doctors avoided open-heart surgery by using a minimally invasive technique called Transcatheter Mitral Valve Replacement (TMVR), this life-saving procedure marks a major leap forward in cardiac care and offers new hope to high-risk patients worldwide.
Patient Mrs. Rekha, had previously undergone a procedure in which a narrowed heart valve was widened using a balloon, followed by a valve repair in 2013 using durable Teflon bands. Over time, however, her heart valve tissue deteriorated again, eventually leading to valve failure and placing her life at serious risk. What made the case especially challenging was the earlier Teflon band which, unlike conventional full circle annuloplasty rings, was incomplete and not easily visible on X-rays, providing poor anchoring support. What made the case especially challenging was the earlier Teflon band which unlike conventional full-circle rings was not easily visible on X-rays. This significantly increased the complexity of the new valve placement, making this the first time anywhere in the world that a Transcatheter Mitral Valve Replacement (TMVR) was successfully performed in a failed Teflon annuloplasty.
Transcatheter Mitral Valve Replacement (TMVR) is a minimally invasive procedure where a replacement valve is delivered to the heart via a thin catheter inserted through a vein in the groin. It is typically used for failed bioprosthetic mitral valves or standard annuloplasty rings, offering a safer alternative to open-heart surgery for high-risk patients. However, it had not been attempted in a failed Teflon band annuloplasty, which is incomplete, poorly visible on X-rays, and provides limited anchoring support for a new valve, making the procedure highly challenging.
After thorough planning and detailed imaging, the interventional cardiology team performed a minimally invasive heart valve replacement with precision. Using advanced imaging to map the procedure, the team guided the new valve into place through a thin catheter. The high- risk surgery was performed under the expert care of Dr. Srinivasa Prasad B V, Additional Director – Interventional Cardiology, Fortis Hospital, Bannerghatta Road, Bengaluru, along with internal medicine specialists, anesthetists and advanced imaging specialists at Fortis Bannerghatta Road. The team used the Meril MyVal, a new Indian-made heart valve that can be placed without open-heart surgery. This minimally invasive approach allowed doctors to insert the valve through a small tube and position it with high precision. To guide the procedure, they used advanced imaging tools – including ultrasound, CT scans, and real-time tracking – to accurately map the area around the damaged mitral valve.
Dr. Srinivasa Prasad BV, Additional Director, Interventional Cardiology, Fortis Hospital, Bannerghatta Road, Bengaluru said “The patient had a complex medical history, including multiple prior surgeries, a perioperative stroke leaving residual deficits and a painful lumpy scar at the chest site. Given her comorbidities, redo open-heart surgery was extremely high-risk. Without this procedure, the patient would likely have faced repeated heart failure admissions, prolonged hospitalization, and a high risk of early mortality. Successfully performing this procedure, “the first TMVR in a failed Teflon annuloplasty”, demonstrates that even patients previously considered unsuitable for redo interventions can now benefit from a minimally invasive, safer alternative. Our approach combined careful planning, advanced technology, and precise execution to ensure a successful outcome.”
The patient and her family expressing profound relief and gratitude for the innovative care said, “When we learned that the procedure could be done safely without the risks associated with a conventional redo procedure, it gave us hope. Seeing her recover smoothly and regain strength has been a huge relief. We are grateful to Fortis Hospital Bannerghatta Road team for their expertise, precision, and compassionate care.”
Dr. Thejaswini Parthasarathy, Facility Director, Fortis Hospital, Bannerghatta Road, Bengaluru said, “At Fortis, we are committed to pioneering advanced, patient-friendly cardiac solutions. This world-first procedure highlights how innovation, meticulous planning, and teamwork can transform outcomes for patients with complex heart conditions. By offering a safer option, we continue to set benchmarks in cardiac care, ensuring patients receive the best possible treatment while minimizing trauma and recovery time.”