RIYADH — King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center (KFSH&RC) has successfully performed five pulmonary valve replacements using the advanced Harmony Transcatheter Pulmonary Valve (TPV) procedure, according to a press release from the center.

This innovative approach, the release said, offers a viable alternative to open-heart surgery, marking a significant advancement in cardiac care in the region. The accomplishment underscores the hospital's commitment to redefining the overall patient experience by minimizing recovery periods and reducing hospital stays.

The TPV procedure is novel in the Middle East, and concerns individuals with heart valve diseases and congenital heart defects, which were previously untreatable through conventional catheterization techniques. Typically, these patients had to undergo open-heart surgery, entailing a three-month recovery period. With TPV, patients between the ages of 12 and 34, are discharged within 48 hours.

"This achievement is part of the ongoing efforts of KFSH&RC to provide innovative healthcare solutions and emerge as a global hub for specialized healthcare. This commitment to excellence encompasses enhancing patient experiences and improving operational efficiency, in line with Saudi Vision 2030’s Health Sector Transformation Program," the release read.

KFSH&RC is one of the most prominent institution in the world that provides tertiary healthcare; it is recognized for its innovations and advanced medical research and education. It also seeks to develop medical technologies and enhance health care worldwide, in partnership with prominent local, regional and international institutions, to achieve world-class service in the clinical, research and educational fields. — SPA