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Manipal, 03 February 2026: Kasturba Hospital, Manipal, has set a new benchmark in cardiac care by successfully performing South Karnataka’s first Transcatheter Mitral Valve Replacement (TMVR), a minimally invasive procedure, thereby giving a new ray of hope to high-risk cardiac patients with complex mitral valve disease.

The cutting-edge “valve-in-valve” TMVR procedure was carried out on a 72-year-old male patient who travelled from Maharashtra. The procedure was performed by a multidisciplinary heart team led by Dr. Tom Devasia, Dr. Monika Jawanjal, and Dr. Haresh Mehta (Mumbai), and a new valve was successfully implanted. The patient showed rapid clinical improvement and was discharged in stable condition within three days of the procedure. The patient had previously undergone open-heart mitral valve replacement nearly a decade ago. He had been experiencing severe breathlessness and fatigue that restricted his daily activities and was considered high-risk for repeat open-heart surgery due to age and associated health factors.

Explaining the patient benefits and clinical significance, Dr. Tom Devasia, Professor, Department of Cardiology, said, “TMVR is a game-changer for elderly patients who are considered high-risk for repeat open-heart surgery. This minimally invasive procedure is especially beneficial for patients with failed bioprosthetic mitral valves, severe mitral regurgitation, breathlessness, recurrent heart failure symptoms, or those who have already undergone previous cardiac surgery and cannot safely undergo another operation. Historically, repeat mitral valve surgeries have carried significant risk, leaving many patients with limited or no treatment options.”

By accessing the heart through a small puncture in the groin, we avoid reopening the chest, which dramatically reduces pain, blood loss, infection risk, and recovery time. Most patients can sit up the same day, walk the next day, and return home within a few days with immediate improvement in breathing and energy levels.

The success of this complex intervention was supported by a comprehensive medical team, including cardiac surgeons, cardiac anaesthesiologists, cardiovascular technologists, along with the Cath Lab and ICU teams at Kasturba Hospital, Manipal.

Commending the achievement, Dr. Sudhakar Kantipudi, Chief Operating Officer – Teaching Hospitals, MAHE, stated, “This achievement reflects Kasturba Hospital’s unwavering commitment to advanced, patient-centric cardiac care. Being the first hospital in South Karnataka to have successfully performed the TMVR procedure reflects the depth of clinical expertise, technology, and teamwork that patients can expect here. Patients should choose Kasturba Hospital, Manipal, because we combine experienced specialists, state-of-the-art Cath Lab infrastructure, and a multidisciplinary Heart Team that evaluates every case thoroughly to offer the safest and most appropriate treatment. From complex valve interventions to post-procedure recovery, care is seamless and evidence-based.”

As the first Cath Lab–equipped hospital in South Karnataka, Kasturba Hospital, Manipal continues to set benchmarks in interventional cardiology. While conventional surgery remains essential for many patients, the introduction of TMVR ensures that high-risk and previously inoperable patients now have access to a complete, life-saving treatment option that offers quicker recovery, reduced complications, and a significantly improved quality of life.