93-Year-Old Finds New Lease on Life Thanks to Minimally Invasive Heart procedure
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A groundbreaking, minimally invasive procedure is offering new hope to patients suffering from tricuspid regurgitation, a condition where the heart valve doesn’t close properly. For Cynthia Jones, 93, this innovative treatment at the University of alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Cardiovascular Institute dramatically improved her quality of life after experiencing debilitating shortness of breath.
Understanding Tricuspid Regurgitation and Its Impact
Ms. Jones initially noticed something was amiss when everyday activities, such as lying down or holding a conversation, became increasingly difficult due to shortness of breath.
Interventional cardiologist Mustafa Ahmed, M.D., collaborated with Ali Ebrahimi, M.D., to safely guide the device into the heart, precisely targeting the source of the leak and securing the valve leaflets with a clip. This innovative approach effectively reduces backward blood flow, enhancing heart efficiency and alleviating symptoms like fatigue, swelling, and breathlessness.
“A severely leaky tricuspid valve with fluid retention,shortness of breath,fatigue and leg swelling can rob someone of their quality of life wholly,” Ahmed explained. “This is a very minimally invasive procedure that helps us achieve the same results as open heart surgery but through a tiny keyhole in the groin area.”
Ideal for High-risk Patients
This procedure is notably beneficial for patients who might potentially be considered inoperable or at high risk for traditional open-heart surgery. For individuals like Ms.Jones, it offers a chance to considerably improve their well-being, reduce hospital readmissions, and regain functional independence.
“Ms. Jones was a great candidate from an anatomic outlook, alongside the shared skill set Dr. Ahmed and I have developed, allowing us to take on her case as of our synergistic approach,” Ebrahimi stated. “Because of our unique setup at UAB, I think it positions us to offer novel procedures and treatments like this to our patients across the region.”
Rapid Recovery and Renewed Vitality
Ms. Jones’s recovery was remarkably swift.She spent just one night in the hospital and was discharged the following day, quickly returning to her normal routine. Demonstrating her renewed vitality, she even resumed her active lifestyle by joining her local gym just weeks after the procedure.
“This was one of the easiest recoveries I have ever had,” Ms. Jones shared. “When I woke up, I promptly felt relief. I had this procedure over a year ago, and I still feel as good as I did before I started experiencing problems.”
UAB Hospital’s Commitment to Cardiac Excellence
UAB Hospital’s dedication to providing exceptional cardiac care has been consistently recognized. In 2025, the hospital earned the Joint Commission’s gold Seal of Approval, confirming its designation as a Complete Heart attack Center (CHAC). This prestigious certification signifies UAB’s ability to deliver comprehensive care for the most complex and critically ill cardiac patients,including those experiencing cardiogenic shock and cardiac arrest,24/7,365 days a year.
The CHAC certification underscores UAB’s multidisciplinary team approach,integrating cardiology,cardiothoracic surgery,and emergency medicine to provide cutting-edge treatment. The Gold Seal reflects the hospital’s commitment to safe, evidence-based care and comprehensive patient education.
“This accreditation demonstrates UAB’s amazing teamwork and commitment to excellence in our cardiovascular program across the board,” Ahmed said. “Our patients can feel confident knowing our program upholds the very highest standards of excellence and commitment to quality.”
Ms. Jones’s success story is just one of many at the UAB Cardiovascular Institute, which helps hundreds of patients each year. Ahmed, who was an investigator on the original trial of this procedure, emphasizes the unique collaborative environment at UAB, bringing together structural, imaging, surgical, and heart failure specialists to deliver these life-changing options to eligible patients.
