FMOL Health | St. Francis Successfully Implants TriClip™ G5, Next-Generation Device That Repairs Leaky Tricuspid Heart Valve
July 02, 2026
Monroe, LA — FMOL Health | St. Francis is expanding advanced structural heart care in Northeast Louisiana with the successful completion of its first TriClip procedure. The milestone makes St. Francis Medical Center the first hospital in the region to offer the minimally invasive treatment for patients with severe tricuspid valve disease.
Thomas Ross Smith, MD, interventional cardiologist, performed the procedure with support from Ezekiel Wetzel, MD, anesthesiologist, and the St. Francis structural heart team.
TriClip is a minimally invasive transcatheter therapy for patients with severe tricuspid regurgitation who are at high risk for traditional open-heart surgery. During the procedure, a catheter is inserted through the femoral vein in the leg to clip together a portion of the tricuspid valve leaflets, helping reduce backward blood flow.
Designed for the right side of the heart and the tricuspid valve’s complex anatomy, the TriClip G5 and steerable guiding catheter systems allow physicians to grasp and clip valve leaflets with precision. This approach helps the heart pump more efficiently, eases symptoms of tricuspid regurgitation and can improve patients’ quality of life.
Severe tricuspid regurgitation occurs when the heart’s tricuspid valve does not close properly, allowing blood to leak backward. The condition can place significant strain on the heart and may lead to right-sided heart failure, severe fluid retention, organ congestion and debilitating fatigue.
“We are excited to expand our innovative, minimally invasive treatment options for patients with complex heart disease,” said Thomas Gullatt, MD, president of FMOL Health | St. Francis. “We remain committed to providing the most advanced cardiovascular services available in Northeast Louisiana."
About FMOL Health | St. Francis
FMOL Health | St. Francis is a not-for-profit Catholic healthcare ministry based in Monroe, Louisiana, with more than 1,800 team members committed to caring for those we serve. With a 328-bed medical center, acute-care hospital, freestanding outpatient center, over 25 outpatient clinics, and nearly 350 physician partners, for more than 110 years, St. Francis has provided comprehensive healthcare services for a variety of medical and surgical specialties. St. Francis offers Northeast Louisiana’s only Level III NICU, Level III OB, OB-ED, and Level II PICU services. St. Francis Medical Center leads the region in heart and vascular services, critical care, and complex and minimally invasive surgical procedures. The hospital offers a designated Level III Trauma Center, a Graduate Medical Education Program, Accredited Chest Pain Center, Accredited Primary Stroke Center and Centers of Excellence in the areas of bariatric surgery, minimally invasive surgery, robotic surgery, minimally invasive gynecology, breast health and specialized anesthesia. St. Francis is part of the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System and is driven by its mission to serve all God’s people, especially those most in need. For more information, visit stfran.com.