Greenville, N.C. – ECU Health has expanded access to advanced heart care through the AltaValve™ system, a minimally-invasive, catheter-deployed tool to treat higher-risk heart patients who previously had few treatment options.
Dr. Brian Cabarrus, ECU Health interventional cardiologist, and Dr. Wiley Nifong, ECU Health cardiovascular surgeon, successfully implanted ECU Health’s first Supra-annular Transcatheter Mitral Valve Replacement — the AltaValve system — on July 30, 2026.
The procedure was made possible through ECU Health’s participation in A Transseptal Left Atrial System for Treatment of Mitral Regurgitation (ATLAS) trial. ECU Health Medical Center was the second hospital in the state to treat a patient using the AltaValve system.
AltaValve is a transcatheter mitral valve replacement developed by 4C Medical Technologies Inc. designed for patients with mitral valve disease who may not be able to receive traditional surgical valve replacement due to factors like advanced age. It is also designed to treat inoperable patients who previously underwent valve repair procedures.
The mitral valve is one of four valves in the heart that allows blood to flow normally through the left ventricle and into the rest of the body. When the mitral valve is unable to fully open, or if it leaks, it may need to be replaced.
“ECU Health is opening new doors for patients with mitral valve conditions who are not candidates for traditional surgery, which is especially important here in eastern North Carolina where patients are disproportionately affected by heart disease compared to the rest of the nation,” said Dr. Cabarrus. “Our first patient was discharged within 48 hours, the kind of outcome every physician hopes to see.”
Unlike traditional open-heart surgery, the AltaValve device is inserted through a vein in the leg with a catheter. The valve is deployed into the heart and naturally aligns with the patient’s mitral valve to treat symptoms.
“Expanding access to innovative treatment options reflects ECU Health’s commitment to advancing cardiovascular care and improving health outcomes across the region,” said Jay Briley, president, ECU Health Medical Center. “By pairing leading-edge technology with the expertise of our clinicians, we are delivering high-quality care close to home and creating a healthier future for the communities we serve.”