Institut Jantung Negara (IJN) has become the first hospital in Malaysia to clinically utilise the PASCAL Precision transcatheter valve repair system, an advanced transcatheter mitral valve therapy designed for patients with mitral regurgitation. This milestone represents a significant advancement in structural heart care in Malaysia, expanding treatment options for patients with clinically significant mitral regurgitation who continue to experience symptoms despite medical therapy and may face high risks with conventional surgery.

Mitral regurgitation occurs when the heart’s mitral valve fails to close properly, causing blood to leak backwards into the heart. If left untreated, the condition can lead to symptoms such as breathlessness, fatigue and worsening heart failure. The PASCAL Precision system is designed to repair the mitral valve through a minimally invasive, catheter-based procedure that helps reduce valve leakage and improve patient outcomes.

The introduction of the PASCAL system adds another important option to the existing range of transcatheter mitral valve repair technologies available at IJN. Rather than replacing current therapies, the system complements them by enabling heart teams to tailor treatment according to each patient’s valve anatomy and clinical condition. Its design features, including broader paddles, a central spacer and independent leaflet clasping, may offer advantages in selected complex cases where valve repair is more challenging.

Dato’ Sri Dr. Azmee Mohd Ghazi, IJN’s Head of Cardiology, Senior Consultant Cardiologist and Clinical Lead for Structural Intervention in Mitral and Tricuspid Valve, said IJN’s clinical utilisation of the PASCAL Precision system reflects the institute’s ongoing commitment to advancing access to innovative structural heart therapies for patients who may not be suitable candidates for conventional surgery. He said the technology provides the heart team with an additional option to treat mitral regurgitation through a less invasive approach while supporting more precise and effective valve repair.

Clinical studies have demonstrated that the PASCAL system can effectively reduce mitral valve leakage, helping many patients achieve improved heart function and better overall quality of life following treatment.

Chief Executive Officer of IJN, Prof Dato’ Sri Dr. Mohamed Ezani Md Taib, said the milestone underscores IJN’s commitment to bringing world-class cardiovascular innovation to Malaysia. He said that by becoming the first centre in the country to clinically utilise the system, IJN continues to strengthen its role as the national heart centre dedicated to improving patient outcomes through advanced therapies, clinical excellence and continuous innovation.

He added that the availability of the PASCAL Precision system further enhances IJN’s structural heart programme and supports a more individualised, anatomy-driven approach to transcatheter mitral valve repair in Malaysia.