Edward’s EVOQUE tricuspid valve replacement system is designed to replace the native tricuspid valve without open heart surgery and help reduce or eliminate tricuspid regurgitation
ALBUQUERQUE, NM – April 29, 2025 – Heart Hospital of New Mexico at Lovelace Medical Center (HHNM) announced it is the first hospital in New Mexico to implant the EVOQUE Tricuspid Valve Replacement System, for people with tricuspid regurgitation (TR). New Mexico Heart Institute/Lovelace Medical Group Interventional Cardiologists Mark Bieniarz, MD, FACC, FSCAI, and Geoffrey A. Kunz, MD, FACC, and Dan Berson, DO, cardiac anesthesiologist with Main Street Anesthesia, implanted the EVOQUE valve, which has been shown to significantly reduce or eliminate tricuspid regurgitation and improve quality of life for patients with severe TR and who have not responded to medication.
TR happens when the tricuspid valve on the right side of the heart does not close properly. When the valve does not fully close, blood flows backward from the lower chamber (ventricle) into the upper chamber (atrium) making the heart work harder to move blood through the valve.
“Patients suffering from tricuspid regurgitation endure life-impairing symptoms and, until now, had no approved transcatheter treatment options,” said Dr. Kunz. “The EVOQUE system has shown significant improvements in patients’ symptoms and quality-of-life, including not feeling short of breath and being able to care for themselves.”
EVOQUE is an artificial heart valve that can be used to replace the patient’s own tricuspid valve. The valve is put into place using a minimally-invasive delivery system through a small puncture in the groin. The EVOQUE valve frame is made of nitinol (nickel titanium), a flexible metal material that allows the valve frame to expand and fit safely within the heart.
“We are proud of our reputation of leading the state of New Mexico in the latest cardiovascular care,” said Brian Miller, chief executive officer of HHNM. “The EVOQUE system is another way we work diligently to provide the highest quality of care to our patients around the state, who don’t have to travel far from home for treatment.”
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Contact:
Whitney Alcantar, Lovelace Health System
Phone: 505.903.0367
About Heart Hospital of New Mexico at Lovelace Medical Center
Heart Hospital of New Mexico at Lovelace Medical Center (HHNM) is New Mexico’s only hospital dedicated exclusively to cardiovascular care, including the state’s only facility performing left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implants and was recently re-credentialed by DNV through 2026 as a Ventricular Assist Device Facility and was LVAD-accredited by The Joint Commission. The 55-bed facility, which features a state-of-the-art hybrid operating room where surgeons can perform advanced surgical services for cardiovascular patients, has become synonymous with high quality, technologically advanced cardiac care. HHNM was named a fourth consecutive Top Teaching Hospital from 2020 - 2024 by Leapfrog Hospital Safety for its quality of care, including practices for safer surgery and capacity to prevent medication errors and has three times been named to The Best Hospital in America List for 2021 - 2023 (small teaching hospital category) by Money and the Leapfrog Group for its quality, safe care, a reputation for excellent patient experiences and an ethical approach to treatment. To learn more about the state-of-the-art treatment options, innovative health care providers and award-winning quality initiatives at Heart Hospital of New Mexico at Lovelace Medical Center, visit hearthospitalnm.com.
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