Life-Saving Micro-Intervention for a Critical Heart Condition: A Singaporean Patient’s Journey to Beijing
"Not long ago, I couldn't even swallow food; I felt like I was at the end of the road. Now, I’m back to normal. I owe it all to the medical staff!" Mr. Zhang, who has recently recovered and been discharged, recalls the life-threatening situation he was in, still filled with gratitude and emotion.
This elderly patient, who had undergone heart bypass surgery, mitral valve replacement, tricuspid valve repair, and had a pacemaker implanted, had his life saved by Dr. Han Yu's team using a unique micro-invasive intervention. Mr. Zhang was facing severe tricuspid regurgitation combined with massive pleural and ascitic fluid accumulation, bringing him to the brink of death. He sought treatment at the prestigious Fuwai Hospital in Beijing, where a groundbreaking procedure saved his life.
A Complex Medical History Meets a Life-Threatening Crisis
Mr. Zhang, 75, from Singapore, had a complicated medical history, including blood diseases and prior heart surgeries. Despite initial successful treatments, he developed severe breathing difficulties and an inability to eat earlier this year, along with rapidly increasing abdominal bloating. Diagnostic tests revealed massive tricuspid regurgitation, causing a significant increase in cardiac workload, leading to pleural effusion and ascites. Desperate, his family sought treatment in various hospitals until they finally found their way to Dr. Han Yu at Fuwai Hospital.
A Critical Diagnosis and a Collaborative Approach
Dr. Han recalls the dire nature of Mr. Zhang’s case: "This was the most critical of critical situations." A multidisciplinary team quickly mobilized, including experts from cardiology, cardiovascular surgery, electrophysiology, anesthesia, and ultrasound. They collaborated with top Chinese experts, such as Professor Fan Xiaohan from the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. Together, they carefully analyzed Mr. Zhang's history, surgical records, and imaging data to determine the best course of action.
The team determined that medical management would only temporarily alleviate the symptoms but not address the underlying valve issue. Given Mr. Zhang's complex condition, the experts decided on a unique micro-invasive intervention.
A Pioneering Micro-Invasive Procedure
The team proposed using a K-Clip technology to repair the tricuspid valve via a catheter-based procedure. This technique, which is highly flexible, would bypass the pacemaker leads and reduce the regurgitation by shrinking the enlarged tricuspid ring. This approach was the only viable option for Mr. Zhang’s recovery.
Precise Execution and Successful Outcome
The procedure was performed under real-time guidance via transesophageal ultrasound, with the team making a precise insertion from the patient’s right jugular vein. The K-Clip device was carefully positioned, avoiding the pacemaker lead and securing the valve ring. The procedure took only one hour, with minimal blood loss, and the patient’s vital signs remained stable throughout.
Mr. Zhang’s recovery was faster than expected. Within a few days, he could sit up, drink water, and even begin eating soft food. A week after the procedure, the fluid buildup in his abdomen had significantly reduced, and he could walk normally. On the day of his discharge, Mr. Zhang filmed himself eating, proudly showing his loved ones that he could now enjoy life again.