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Yale Team Performs State’s First BATMAN Procedure

January 14, 2025

Novel Procedure Treats Complex Heart Diseases of the Mitral Valve

A groundbreaking medical milestone was achieved at Yale New Haven Hospital as a team of cardiologists and cardiac surgeons performed the state’s first BATMAN procedure. The innovative treatment—led by cardiologists Amit Vora, MD, MPH, Samuel Reinhardt, MD, and John Forrest, MD, director of the Structural Heart Program, together with director of the Aortic Institute, Prashanth Vallabhajosyula, MD, MS—offers new hope for patients with complex disease of mitral valve and challenging anatomical conditions.

The BATMAN (Basilica Technique with MitraClip for Anatomically Nonconforming) procedure is a novel transcatheter approach designed to treat severe mitral regurgitation (MR) in patients who are poor candidates for traditional surgical or standard transcatheter solutions. MR, a condition where the heart's mitral valve does not close tightly, leads to blood leaking backward into the heart, causing symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath, and eventual heart failure.

This cutting-edge technique combines the precision of the Basilica procedure, which creates a controlled tear in the anterior leaflet of the mitral valve, with transcatheter mitral valve implantation to restore proper valve function. By adapting to complex anatomical challenges, the BATMAN procedure provides a less-invasive alternative for high-risk patients who previously had limited options.

“The Yale team’s successful execution of this advanced treatment underscores our commitment to pioneering cardiac care as an academic health system,” said Eric Velazquez, MD, chief of cardiovascular medicine at Yale and physician-in-chief of the Heart and Vascular Center.

Nita Ahuja, MD, MBA, surgeon-in-chief for the Yale New Haven Health System, added, “This milestone highlights the collaborative efforts of our multidisciplinary team and our focus on delivering innovative solutions to improve patient outcomes.”

The BATMAN procedure is expected to pave the way for broader adoption of transcatheter solutions tailored to individual anatomical complexities of the mitral valve.