VA Palo Alto pioneers life-changing heart valve treatment for Veterans

The VA Palo Alto’s multidisciplinary structural heart team, led by doctors Guson Kang and Neha Mantri.

Robert S. Mitchell, MD (cardiac surgery); Mark Douglass, RN; Tyler Payne, MD (cardiac anesthesiology); Guson Kang, MD (interventional cardiology); Thuy Nguyen, RN; Kris Mallari, RN; Tanya Blodget, CCP (perfusionist); Tom Meredith, MD (interventional cardiology fellow); Winnie Hau, RN; Neha Mantri, MD (interventional echocardiography); Xiu Tang (sonography)

By Steffany Lingad, Public Affairs Specialist

November 18, 2025

VA Palo Alto health care has made history by performing the first transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement (TTVR) in the entire Veterans Health Administration (VHA).

This new procedure was done on a Veteran with severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR), a heart condition where one of the valves doesn’t close properly, causing blood to flow the wrong way.

In the past, people with this condition had very few treatment options. Open-heart surgery is risky, especially for older patients or those with other health problems. The new Edwards EVOQUE TTVR system is a less invasive option. Instead of opening the chest, doctors use a thin tube (called a catheter) to replace the damaged valve through a vein.

The procedure was done by a skilled team at VA Palo Alto, led by Dr. Guson Kang and Dr. Neha Mantri. The team includes heart doctors, surgeons, imaging experts, and nurses. The Veteran is recovering well and already feels better.

“This is a big step forward in heart care for Veterans,” said Dr. Kang. “With new tools like the EVOQUE system, we can help more people who didn’t have good options before.”

The EVOQUE device was approved by the FDA in 2024 after studies showed it helped patients feel better and live healthier lives.

This successful procedure shows VA’s strong commitment to bringing the latest medical advances to Veterans. It also means more Veterans across the country may soon have access to this life-changing treatment.

Veterans who are interested in learning whether they may qualify for this therapy should talk with their cardiologist or contact the Structural Heart Program at VA Palo Alto.