TEER: The new technology adding new dimensions to cardiac care

Heart disease continues to remain one of India’s biggest health concerns, especially among people above 50. Doctors say that many patients who survive a heart attack often develop other related problems, such as valve leakage or irregular heart function, which can quietly worsen over time. The impact is not only physical but also emotional, affecting mobility, confidence, and quality of life.

For people who are unable to undergo open-heart surgery due to age or other health risks, a new treatment approach is slowly changing the outlook. Several hospitals in India have now started offering a less invasive procedure for repairing leaky heart valves, giving patients a safer and quicker recovery path.

Experts describe this technique, known as transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER), as one of the most important advances in recent cardiac care. Instead of opening the chest, doctors insert a small device through a vein to help the faulty mitral valve close properly. Patients often return home within days and can resume normal activity much sooner than traditional surgery would allow.

According to cardiologists, this method has already helped hundreds of patients in India regain their strength and independence. It is particularly beneficial for elderly patients and those living with heart failure, for whom surgery may carry higher risks.

The innovations like these are helping bring care closer to patients who earlier had limited choices. When technology supports the body’s natural rhythm instead of replacing it, recovery becomes more human. It allows people to return to the life they want to live.

The clip-based valve repair device used in the TEER procedure was first developed in the United States in the early 2000s. It was built on a simple yet bold idea that a heart valve could be repaired through a catheter while the heart was still beating. What began as a rough sketch in a lab has now turned into a widely accepted therapy, with more than 2.5 lakh procedures performed globally.

India’s growing cardiac burden makes such developments crucial. The country records one of the highest numbers of heart-related deaths in the world, driven by lifestyle factors and an ageing population. Awareness about early diagnosis and advanced treatment options remains low, particularly outside major cities.

Doctors believe that newer, minimally invasive procedures could play a major role in bridging that gap. By reducing trauma and recovery time, they not only extend life but also help patients live with dignity and confidence.

Authored by: Neeraj Singh, Country Manager for Abbott’s Structural Heart business in India


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