In a groundbreaking medical achievement, Dr. Amit Vora and Dr. Prashanth Vallabhajosyula at Yale New Haven Hospital have successfully conducted Connecticut’s first BATMAN procedure (Balloon-Assisted Translocation of the Mitral Anterior Leaflet). This marks a significant advancement in the treatment of complex mitral valve disease.
Dr. Vora, MD, MPH, who serves as Assistant Professor of Medicine (Cardiovascular Medicine), and Dr. Vallabhajosyula, MD, MS, an Associate Professor of Surgery and Surgical Director of the Aortic Institute, led the procedure alongside Samuel Reinhardt, MD, and John Forrest, MD, the director of the Structural Heart Program.
The BATMAN procedure represents an innovative transcatheter technique that modifies or repositions the anterior mitral leaflet with the aid of balloon assistance. This adjustment enhances leaflet coaptation, effectively reducing mitral regurgitation. Unlike existing treatments such as MitraClip or transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR), BATMAN is specifically designed to overcome anatomical challenges that have traditionally restricted treatment options.
Dr. Eric Velazquez, MD, chief of cardiovascular medicine at Yale and physician-in-chief of the Heart and Vascular Center, emphasized the significance of this achievement, stating, “The Yale team’s successful execution of this advanced treatment underscores our commitment to pioneering cardiac care as an academic health system.”
The procedure is intended for patients experiencing severe mitral regurgitation (MR), particularly those who face anatomical complexities or comorbidities that make conventional surgical procedures or standard transcatheter treatments unsuitable.
Dr. Nita Ahuja, MD, MBA, FACS, who chairs the Department of Surgery at Yale School of Medicine and serves as chief of Surgery at Yale New Haven Hospital, commended the teamwork that made the achievement possible. “This milestone highlights the collaborative efforts of our multidisciplinary team and our focus on delivering innovative solutions to improve patient outcomes,” she remarked.