Transcatheter Tricuspid Edge-to-Edge Repair (T-TEER): What to Expect at Home

A transcatheter tricuspid edge-to-edge repair (T-TEER) is a procedure that helps the tricuspid valve in your heart close better as your heart beats. Using a catheter that was guided through a major blood vessel, the doctor placed one or more small clips on the valve flaps.

After the procedure, you'll spend up to a few days in the hospital. Your groin may have a bruise and feel sore for a few days. This is where the catheter was inserted into your blood vessel. You may have a mild sore throat for a day or two after the procedure. This is from a small ultrasound probe that was placed in your throat during the procedure to help your doctor see your heart.

Most people can return to regular activities in about a month. Your doctor may give you specific instructions on when you can do your normal activities again.

Your doctor may suggest that you attend a cardiac rehab program. In cardiac rehab, a team of health professionals provides education and support to help you recover and prevent problems with your heart. Ask your doctor if rehab is right for you.

• Allow your body to heal. Don't do strenuous exercise or lift, pull, or push anything more than about 10 pounds until your doctor says it's okay. This may be for at least a month.
• Rest when you feel tired.
• Don’t smoke, vape, or use other tobacco or nicotine products. These things slow healing and recovery. If you need help quitting, talk to your doctor about quit programs and medicines. These can increase your chances of quitting for good.
• Ask your doctor when you can drive again.

• Eat heart-healthy foods. These foods include vegetables, fruits, nuts, beans, lean meat, fish, and whole grains. Limit sodium, alcohol, and sugar.
• If your bowel movements aren't regular right after the procedure, try to avoid constipation and straining. Drink plenty of water. Your doctor may suggest fiber, a stool softener, or a mild laxative.

• Your doctor will tell you if and when you can restart your medicines. You'll also get instructions about taking any new medicines.
• If you stopped taking aspirin or some other blood thinner, your doctor will tell you when to start taking it again.
• Your doctor may prescribe a blood-thinning medicine. Be sure to get instructions about how to take your medicine safely. Blood thinners can cause serious bleeding problems.
• Be safe with medicines. Take your medicines exactly as prescribed. Contact your doctor if you think you're having a problem with your medicine.

• For 1 or 2 days, keep a bandage over the spot where the catheter was inserted. The bandage probably will fall off in this time.
• Put ice or a cold pack on the area for 10 to 20 minutes at a time to help with soreness or swelling. Put a thin cloth between the ice and your skin.
• You may shower 24 to 48 hours after the procedure, if your doctor okays it. Pat the cut (incision) dry.
• Don't soak the catheter site until it's healed. Don't take a bath for 1 week, or until your doctor tells you it's okay.
• Watch for bleeding from the site. A small amount of blood (up to the size of a quarter) on the bandage can be normal.
• If you're bleeding, lie down and press on the area for 15 minutes to try to make it stop. If the bleeding doesn't stop, contact your doctor or seek immediate medical care.

• Carry your device identification card with you at all times.
• Practice good dental hygiene and have regular checkups. Good dental health is especially important. That's because bacteria can spread from teeth and gums to the heart valves.
• Be sure to tell all of your doctors and your dentist that you have a device in your valve. This is important because you may need to take antibiotics before certain procedures to prevent infection.

Call 911 anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if:

• You passed out (lost consciousness).
• You have symptoms of a heart attack. These may include:
  • Chest pain or pressure, or a strange feeling in the chest.
  • Sweating.
  • Shortness of breath.
  • Nausea or vomiting.
  • Pain, pressure, or a strange feeling in the back, neck, jaw, or upper belly or in one or both shoulders or arms.
  • A fast or irregular heartbeat.
• You have symptoms of a stroke. These may include:
  • Sudden numbness, tingling, weakness, or loss of movement in your face, arm, or leg, especially on only one side of your body.
  • Sudden vision changes.
  • Sudden trouble speaking.
  • Sudden confusion or trouble understanding simple statements.
  • Sudden problems with walking or balance.
  • A sudden, severe headache that is different from past headaches.

Contact your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:

• You have severe belly pain.
• You are bleeding from the area where the catheter was put in your blood vessel.
• You have a fast-growing, painful lump at the catheter site.
• You have symptoms of infection, such as:
  • Increased pain, swelling, warmth, or redness.
  • Red streaks leading from the catheter site.
  • Pus draining from the catheter site.
  • A fever.
• Your leg is painful, cold, tingly, or numb or looks pale, bluish, or purplish.
• You have new or worse shortness of breath or swelling in your legs or belly.
• You have sudden weight gain, such as more than 2 to 3 pounds in a day.

Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor if you have any problems.