Skip to main content
Day.News — Local News. Real Community.
NAPLES DAY NEWS
Local News. Real Community.
NCH Rooney Heart Institute performs Florida's first minimally invasive mitral valve replacement
other
1 min read

Florida's First M3 Mitral Valve Replacement at NCH

NCH Rooney Heart Institute performed Florida's first minimally invasive mitral valve replacement on June 9, using FDA-approved technology that eliminates the need to open the patient's chest.

Staff Writer
06/13/2026 · Naples edition

Advertisement

Advertisement

The NCH Rooney Heart Institute completed Florida's first SAPIEN M3 transcatheter mitral valve replacement on June 9, offering a new option for patients with severe mitral valve disease who cannot undergo traditional surgery.

The FDA-approved procedure allows doctors to replace a diseased mitral valve through a catheter inserted in a leg vein, avoiding open-chest surgery. Dr. Robert J. Cubeddu, president of the NCH Rooney Heart Institute, led the team alongside cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, and imaging specialists.

Mitral regurgitation occurs when the mitral valve fails to close properly, allowing blood to flow backward into the heart. Left untreated, the condition leads to heart failure, shortness of breath and fatigue.

"For many patients with severe mitral valve disease who are not candidates for surgery, the SAPIEN M3 system represents a transformative option," Cubeddu said. The technology uses a docking system that creates a stable landing zone for the replacement valve.

The NCH Rooney Heart Institute offers cardiovascular services including structural heart interventions, advanced imaging, electrophysiology, cardiothoracic surgery and vascular care.

Related Topics

Editorial Transparency
Original Reporting

Article Ratings

Factual
0.0
Likeable
0.0
Bias
0.0
Objective
0.0

How do you feel about this story?

Discussion (0)

Join the Conversation

Join the conversation

Sign in to share your thoughts, reply to readers, and like comments.

Sign in to comment
Sort by:
0 comments

No comments yet. Be the first to comment!

Trending Now

Trending stories will appear here.

More from Naples

No other local stories are available right now.

Events & Things to Do

Read section →

Upcoming events will appear here.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Keep Reading

Related Stories

More other stories from Naples

You’re all caught up on related stories.