Photo: Natalia/Adobe Stock
The BluePearl Pet Hospital in Tampa, Florida, is now offering the transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) procedure for its patients—a minimally invasive beating-heart intervention for treating severe mitral regurgitation, a backward flow of blood into the atrium linked to chronic valvular disease. This new addition to their services makes BluePearl Tampa the 8th hospital in the United States to offer the procedure.
“I am incredibly proud of our cardiology team in Tampa…who have undergone specialized training to be one of few pet hospitals in the United States that are able to offer the TEER procedure to pets” Richard Stone, DACVIM (SAIM), chief medical officer at BluePearl Pet Hospital, said in an organizational release.1 “Our dedicated team continues to push the bounds of medical excellence, finding ways to bring industry leading care to communities to positively impact the lives of pets.”
In dogs, chronic valvular disease is one of the most common causes of heart disease, accounting for approximately 75% of all heart disease in these animals.1,2 Small breed dogs, such as those weighing less than 40 lb, as well as dogs more than 5 years old, are at higher risk of developing the disease. Breeds including miniature poodles, cocker spaniels, miniature schnauzers, Dachshunds, small terrier breeds, and Cavalier King Charles spaniels are also more predisposed to getting chronic valvular disease.2 Unlike other breeds, Cavalier King Charles spaniels may develop the disease as young as 2 to 3 years of age.2
Also known as chronic degenerative valve disease, endocardiosis, valvular regurgitation, valvular insufficiency, or myxomatous degeneration of the valve, the disease involves the degeneration of the heart valves between the atrium and ventricle on the tricuspid and mitral valve, with the mitral valve usually being primarily affected. Changes in the valves’ appearance and supporting structures due to degeneration causes improper closure of the atrium and ventricle, resulting in regurgitation, or leakage.2
During the TEER procedure, a 2- to 3-inch incision is made in the chest wall of a dog under general anesthesia.3 Using a ventricular catheter, a device to connect the edges of the mitral valve is then placed, substantially decreasing or eliminating leakage. Patients in recovery follow up to 6 weeks of restricted activity, and follow-up appointments are scheduled up to a year following the procedure. “TEER can improve quality of life for pets that receive the procedure and can also extend lifespans,” wrote BluePearl in a news release.1
In contrast to open-heart surgery and other traditional treatments, the TEER procedure is more cost-efficient and less invasive. According to BluePearl, the procedure has a success rate of 95% in animal patients.1 In humans, the procedure has been performed in more than 150,000 patients worldwide as of 2023.4
“The transcatheter edge-to-edge repair procedure is a game changer, offering pet owners a minimally invasive alternative to complex treatments such as open-heart surgery” Bradley Harris, DVM, DACVECC, cardiologist at BluePearl Tampa, said in a news release.1 “TEER can improve the quality of life for pets with heart disease and extend their lifespans. We’re proud to be the 8th pet hospital in the country to offer this industry leading procedure and look forward to positively impacting the lives of pets in our community and beyond.”
References
- BluePearl to provide cutting edge heart intervention procedure for pets. News release. BluePearl Pet Hospital. April 23, 2025.
- Weir M, Gordon SG. Chronic degenerative valve disease in dogs: In depth. VCA Animal Hospitals. Accessed April 23, 2025. https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/chronic-degenerative-valve-disease-in-dogs-in-depth#:~:text=Chronic%20degenerative%20valve%20disease%20represents,all%20heart%20disease%20in%20dogs.
- Transcatheter edge-to-edge mitral valve repair (TEER). University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign College of Veterinary Medicine. July 3, 2023. Accessed April 23, 2025. https://vetmed.illinois.edu/2023/07/03/transcatheter-edge-to-edge-mitral-valve-repair-teer/
- Raman J, et al. The increasing use of mitral transcatheter edge-to-edge repair in complex and high-risk patients. Heart Lung Circ. 2023;32(6):653-655.
