Sarasota Memorial Hospital heart surgeon Jonathan Hoffberger, DO, has performed the world’s first heart procedure combining two new cardiac implants from Edwards Lifesciences to replace a failing tricuspid valve and reduce stroke risk associated with atrial fibrillation (Afib).
According to Edwards Lifesciences, the milestone procedure marks the first time its TRIFORMIS RESILIA tricuspid valve and ECLIPTIS left atrial appendage (LAA) exclusion system have been implanted together in the same patient anywhere in the world.
“Patients who need heart valve surgery often have other cardiovascular conditions that increase their risk of complications,” said Dr. Hoffberger, chief of cardiovascular surgery at SMH. “By combining these two devices in a single operation, we were able to replace a diseased heart valve while also addressing a significant source of stroke risk, without requiring separate surgeries.”
The two new devices address separate but potentially serious heart conditions. The TRIFORMIS RESILIA, approved by the FDA in May 2026, is the first and only surgical implant designed specifically for replacing native or prosthetic heart valves. Surgeons previously used mitral valves for tricuspid valve replacement because there were no surgical replacement tricuspid valves approved for use. Unlike the other valves, the TRIFORMIS RESILIA is engineered to accommodate the unique anatomy of the tricuspid valve. It also incorporates advanced tissue technology designed to resist calcium buildup, a major contributor to deterioration of replacement heart valves.
The other new device, the ECLIPTIS system is designed to close the left atrial appendage, a small pouch in the upper left chamber of the heart. In patients with AFib, an irregular heart rhythm that affects millions of Americans, blood can collect in this pouch and form clots that may travel to the brain and cause a stroke. Cleared by the FDA in June 2026, the ECLIPTIS device is one of several new and evolving LAA closure systems that are increasingly becoming part of cardiac procedures.
Dr. Hoffberger is one of three cardiothoracic surgeons Sarasota Memorial’s First Physicians Group (FPG) who introduced the latest cardiac devices at Sarasota Memorial Hospital this month. On the same day as Dr. Hoffberger’s milestone procedure, fellow FPG heart surgeons Jeffrey Sell, MD, and Kristen Walker, MD, also performed combined cardiac procedures, implanting Edwards’ new stroke-prevention device in two additional patients undergoing heart surgery.
The milestone reflects Sarasota Memorial’s continued investment in advanced cardiac care and multidisciplinary approach to treating patients with complex cardiovascular conditions. The health system’s comprehensive cardiac program brings together cardiac surgeons, interventional cardiologists, electrophysiologists and other cardiovascular specialists to provide a wide range of treatments, from traditional, robotic and minimally invasive heart surgery to advanced valve replacement and repairs, and other advanced interventions and therapies for complex heart conditions.
About Sarasota Memorial Health Care System (smh.com)
Sarasota Memorial Health Care System is a regional medical center offering Southwest Florida’s greatest breadth and depth of care, with about 2,500 physicians and advanced practice providers, 11,000 employees and 2 million patient visits a year across its network of care. Sarasota County’s largest employer, the community-owned health system includes two full-service hospitals in Sarasota and Venice (and third under construction in North Port), freestanding ERs in North Port and Lakewood Ranch, a rehabilitation hospital, skilled nursing facility and comprehensive network of outpatient centers, urgent care clinics and SMH First Physicians Group primary and specialty care practices. Founded in 1925, SMH’s flagship Sarasota campus also is home to the Brian D. Jellison Cancer Institute, Cornell Behavioral Health Pavilion and Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute. Both Sarasota Memorial Hospital-Sarasota and Sarasota Memorial Hospital-Venice have earned the highest 5-Star quality ratings from the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). SMH-Sarasota is the only Florida hospital – and one of just 11 in the nation – to earn a perfect 5-Star rating from CMS every year since the federal rating program began in 2016.
