Split hospital performs Croatia’s first minimally invasive tricuspid valve replacement

(Photo: KBC Split)

SPLIT, 11 March 2026 – A team of cardiologists at University Hospital Centre Split (KBC Split) has successfully performed Croatia’s first percutaneous implantation of a biological tricuspid valve, placing the hospital among the pioneers of this advanced procedure globally.

The intervention marks the first time the procedure has been carried out in Croatia and in this part of Europe, and places the Split team among the first in the world to introduce the technique.

The cardiology team from the hospital’s Clinic for Heart and Vascular Diseases included Prof. Darija Baković Kramarić, Dr Frane Runjić, Dr Andrija Matetić and Dr Ivona Mustapić.

The procedure was supported by a multidisciplinary team consisting of anaesthesiologists, nurses, technicians and radiology engineers, ensuring the safe and successful completion of the complex intervention.

In preparation for introducing the technology, the medical team underwent specialised training in Switzerland.

The procedure utilised the Edwards EVOQUE Transcatheter Tricuspid Valve Replacement System, one of the most advanced systems currently available for transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement.

The technology allows doctors to treat patients with severe tricuspid regurgitation who cannot undergo conventional open-heart surgery due to high surgical risk or unsuitable anatomy.

(Photo: KBC Split)

What is tricuspid regurgitation?

Tricuspid regurgitation is a common heart valve disorder caused by malfunction of the tricuspid valve and surrounding structures in the heart.

Severe cases can lead to heart failure, breathlessness, reduced tolerance to physical activity and a significant decline in quality of life. The condition is also associated with increased mortality if left untreated.

Minimally invasive alternative to open-heart surgery

The procedure, known as transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement (TTVR), is a minimally invasive treatment performed without opening the chest.

Instead, doctors implant a biological valve through the femoral vein in the groin, replacing the malfunctioning valve.

The intervention is carried out in an interventional cardiology laboratory using imaging guidance from transoesophageal echocardiography and fluoroscopy.

(Photo: KBC Split)

A major step for heart treatment in Croatia

Introducing the EVOQUE system enables doctors at KBC Split to treat patients who previously had limited or no suitable therapeutic options.

The development significantly expands the hospital’s capabilities in treating structural heart disease and further strengthens its position as one of the region’s leading centres for advanced cardiac interventions.

KBC Split has already built a reputation as a leading centre in this part of Europe for transcatheter electrosurgery procedures, used to manage complex anatomical challenges during structural heart interventions.

These include advanced techniques such as BASILICA, UNICORN, BATMAN and SESAME procedures, with the SESAME method performed in Split among the first in Europe.

(Photo: KBC Split)

Thanks to its growing expertise, the hospital has also become an education and training centre, hosting doctors from across the European Union and the United Kingdom.

The introduction of the EVOQUE system continues the expansion of the hospital’s structural heart programme, which already includes procedures such as transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), mitral valve repair using MitraClip and PASCAL systems, balloon mitral valvuloplasty and other advanced transcatheter interventions.

With the latest achievement, Split’s University Hospital Centre further strengthens Croatia’s presence in the field of cutting-edge cardiovascular medicine.