Dr. Saibal Kar, interventional cardiologist at Los Robles Health System known for his use of the Abbott TriClip device for tricuspid valve repair is an investigator and steering committee member of a research study, known as the TRILUMINATE pivotal trial, that shows that minimally invasive valve repair reduces heart failure in patients with severe heart valve disease.
Dr. Saibal Kar, interventional cardiologist at Los Robles Health System known for his use of the Abbott TriClip device for tricuspid valve repair is an investigator and steering committee member of a research study, known as the TRILUMINATE pivotal trial, that shows that minimally invasive valve repair reduces heart failure in patients with severe heart valve disease.
The data was presented at the 74th American College of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific Session on March 30, 2025, and was simultaneously published inCirculation, an American Heart Association/American Stroke Association Journal.
The device seeks to help patients that cannot undergo traditional surgery by offering a minimally invasive option.
The two-year study revealed that patients who had been diagnosed with severe tricuspid regurgitation were 28 percent less likely to be hospitalized for heart failure. The study compared outcomes to patients who were randomly assigned to medical therapy alone.
Los Robles was among the top 10 enrolling sites in the nation and the top site within HCA Healthcare to enroll patients with this life-saving treatment. In fact, Los Robles helped connect more patients with this study than some of the leading academic sites in the country.
“This is a major worldwide study,” stated Phil Buttell, CEO of Los Robles Health System. “It makes me so proud to be able to offer our patients and local community access to these trials and research. As a regional resource and destination for care, we are committed to demonstrating the cutting-edge research and technology that makes world-class care possible right at home,” stated Buttell.
Severe tricuspid regurgitation occurs when the lower heart chamber is enlarged after the heart has to make extra effort to pump blood throughout the body. When left untreated, this can result in the heart muscle becoming weak and can eventually lead to heart failure.
During the conference, it was reported that the transcatheter repair system decreased heart failure hospitalizations, reduced symptom severity, and confirmed that there were no safety issues with this procedure.
“This study is giving us remarkable results,” shared Kar. “The results of this study are promising and confirm that patients who suffer from severe tricuspid regurgitation have an alternative therapy that can aid in improving their outcomes. As an investigator of this study at Los Robles Health System, I worked with physicians from across the globe with a unified goal of impacting a patient population that is left vulnerable. Results like these validate what clinical trials are all about,” stated Kar.