Research

Sapien M-3 trip to Poland

Aug. 20, 2025 — Dr. Kamran Muhammad, director of cardiovascular research and our structural disease program, made another trip to Europe to train physicians in Poland on the Sapien M-3 valve, which treats mitral regurgitation. We appreciate him sharing his knowledge and expertise with professionals around the world and take great pride in being a research site for many important trials and studies, like the ENCIRCLE trial studying this device. To learn more about other research studies at OHI, visit ohref.org/study-opportunities.html.

Sapien M-3 (trip to Europe)

July 28, 2025 —  Dr. Kamran Muhammad, invasive cardiologist at Oklahoma Heart Institute (OHI), recently traveled to Europe to help doctors in Poland, Switzerland and Germany learn a new heart valve procedure called transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR). This procedure uses the Edwards Sapien M3 device to replace a valve without open-heart surgery. OHI is part of a major research study called the ENCIRCLE Trial studying this device and is the only hospital in Oklahoma and the region offering this treatment. Because of OHI’s leadership in the study, Dr. Muhammad was chosen to help teach the first European cases

ENVISION trial

January 15, 2025 — The Oklahoma Heart Institute structural heart team performed the first randomized case in Oklahoma in the ENVISION Clinical Trial. The ENVISION Trial is studying the investigational Abbott Navitor Transcatheter Heart Valve in low and intermediate-risk patients who have severe, symptomatic aortic stenosis undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). The Abbott Navitor valve is the latest valve platform available in the U.S. for transcatheter treatment of severe aortic stenosis.

Severe aortic stenosis is a common condition in which the aortic valve leaflets become thick or stiff, reducing their ability to fully open and close. Symptoms of severe aortic stenosis include shortness of breath, fatigue, chest pain, dizziness and leg swelling. It is deadly if not treated quickly. 

TAVR is a minimally invasive, non-surgical, life-saving procedure for the treatment of aortic stenosis. Oklahoma Heart Institute is dedicated to bringing the latest technology and medical advancements to help the patients of Oklahoma and the region.

First PFA with FARAPULSE

November 18, 2024 — Oklahoma Heart Institute (OHI) completed our first pulsed field ablation (PFA) procedure to treat atrial fibrillation with FARAVIEW™ Software as part of the FARAPULSE™ Pulsed Field Ablation System. Our first PFA using FARAPULSE™, which was also the first in Tulsa, was in March 2024 without the use of FARAVIEW™. Now, this new software magnetically tracks the catheter used in ablation, allowing physicians to see the location of the pulsed field applications. This allows for shorter ablation times and reduces the potential for damage to structures in and around the heart.

PERT consortium

September 5, 2024 — Oklahoma Heart Institute (OHI) is one of three sites nationwide being recognized as the first Comprehensive PE Centers of Excellence™ by The PERT Consortium™.

To receive this recognition, sites must be equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, staffed by leading medical professionals and committed to high standards of care for pulmonary embolism patients.

OHI’s multi-specialty blood clot team utilizes a team-based approach to provide rapid, comprehensive, advanced care to patients with acute clot to the lung, leg or arm.

Carillion Mitral Contour System

November 14, 2024 — Oklahoma Heart Institute became the first and only facility in the state to offer treatment in a new research study examining the Carillon Mitral Contour System®, a minimally invasive valve repair option for patients with heart failure (HF) and functional mitral regurgitation (FMR).

The EMPOWER Study is evaluating the effectiveness of the Carillon System in patients with HF and FMR and how their symptoms, mitral valve and heart function improve

Encircle trial update

August 30, 2024 — Oklahoma Heart Institute participated in the filming of two transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR) cases using the SAPIEN M3 valve in the ENCIRCLE Trial. This investigational technology offers a minimally-invasive treatment option for patients with disabling mitral valve disease who are considered unsuitable for open heart surgery and for whom there are no other commercially suitable treatment options. TMVR allows for the replacement of the failing mitral heart valve while the heart is beating.

These filmed cases will be used for teaching and educational purposes for physicians and other medical facilities around the world.

First EVOQUE valve

May 22, 2024 — Oklahoma Heart Institute’s (OHI) structural heart team performed its first commercial transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement case with the recently FDA-approved EVOQUE valve on May 21. OHI is the only hospital in the state of Oklahoma and the surrounding region, and one of only 20 hospitals in the country to offer this exciting, minimally invasive, non-surgical replacement of the leaky tricuspid valve, also known as tricuspid regurgitation (TR).

OHI was the only hospital in Oklahoma to participate in the TRISCEND II trial, which showed this groundbreaking therapy to be beneficial for patients. Data shows that patients have improved quality of life, fewer symptoms of heart failure and increased exercise capacity after undergoing this therapy.

TR occurs when the tricuspid heart valve, the main valve on the right side of the heart, doesn’t close completely. This causes blood to flow backward and the heart to struggle. Symptoms include fatigue, swelling, shortness of breath and irregular heartbeat. Thanks to the innovative EVOQUE system, patients can get relief without undergoing surgery. This minimally invasive procedure is performed through catheters in the groin, similar to a heart catheterization.

Watchman occluder

March 14, 2025 — Oklahoma Heart Institute (OHI) reached another milestone as the first in the state to implant the Watchman FLX Pro Left Atrial Appendage Occluder! The Watchman FLX Pro is implanted as an alternative to blood thinners in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. The newest version comes with a special coating, which reduces the risk of thrombus formation on the device. The Watchman FLX Pro also offers an expanded range of sizes to ensure a customized solution for each patient.

Convergent Plus

Sept. 20, 2023 — Performed by the Oklahoma Heart Institute’s (OHI) Dr. James H. Neel, the new Convergent Plus procedure is an U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved, minimally invasive therapy that is designed to treat chronic or permanent AFib and protect patients from having a stroke. 

AFib is the most commonly diagnosed arrhythmia in the U.S., with one in 4 adults over 40 developing AFib in their lifetime. It affects over 33 million people worldwide and about 8 million people in the U.S. Around 45% of patients with AFib have long-standing persistent AFib, affecting more than 3.5 million patients in the United States. 

Dr. Neel performed this groundbreaking and effective procedure on Friday, building his reputation as one of the most experienced Convergent Plus surgeons in Tulsa.

June 16, 2023 — Oklahoma Heart Institute is the first facility in Oklahoma and the second in the United States to participate in the Protect the Head to Head investigational device exemption (IDE) clinical trial for Emboline’s Emboliner® Embolic Protection Catheter. The Emboliner is a device that protects patients against embolization (plaque or calcium breaking off and causing organ damage) during transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedures.

On June 13, 2023, Oklahoma Heart Institute became the first site in the world to perform a randomized case in this trial. OHI is one of just 10 sites in the United States and 10 international sites to participate in this study. Participation is a major highlight for our structural heart and cardiovascular programs, especially being among the first in the country to use this device.

AccuCinch

Feb. 23, 2023 — The Oklahoma Heart Institute structural heart and advanced heart failure teams performed the first AccuCinch left ventricular restoration procedure in Tulsa last week. This innovative procedure, which is being evaluated in the CORCINCH-HF research trial, has the potential to help patients with congestive heart failure by implanting a device in patients with an enlarged left ventricle, helping to shrink the size of the left ventricle, reduce symptoms, improve quality of life and potentially increase life expectancy.

July 12, 2022 – Oklahoma Heart Institute, in partnership with the Oklahoma Heart Research & Education Foundation and Edwards Lifesciences, was the third center in the world to implant the next-generation Edwards Sapien X4 valve as part of the multicenter ALLIANCE trial. We performed three successful cases with this new valve.

This valve has several new features being evaluated in the ALLIANCE trial, including:

• RESILIA tissue technology with enhanced anti-calcification
• Commissural alignment to facilitate improved coronary access and better simulate natural flow conditions
• Novel frame and leaflet design to allow for adjustable sizing (0.5-1 mm increments in diameter)

The ALLIANCE trial is a multicenter trial evaluating this next generation valve with a goal of enrolling 765 patients across 65 centers in the U.S. and Canada. Patients with severe aortic stenosis at all risk levels will be enrolled and treated with Sapien X4 with standard follow-up out to 10 yea

April 26, 2022 – Mitral annular calcification (MAC) can be associated with severe mitral regurgitation, mitral stenosis or mixed disease (combined MR/MS) and result in debilitating heart failure symptoms and increased mortality. Surgery for these patients is very difficult, and there are no currently acceptable or approved transcatheter (non-surgical) options.

Oklahoma Heart Institute (OHI) recently performed the two first transcatheter mitral valve replacements (TMVR) in the world within the new MAC Registry of the ENCIRCLE trial. These procedures were done percutaneously (without surgery) from the femoral vein (main vein in the groin) with the patient’s hearts beating. The ENCIRCLE trial is evaluating TMVR in patients with severe mitral valve disease who are unsuitable for surgery or MitraClip, and is one of the leading trials of TMVR in the U.S.

February 15, 2022 – Oklahoma Heart Institute (OHI), in partnership with the Oklahoma Heart Research & Education Foundation and Edwards Lifesciences, treated the first patient in Oklahoma as part of the PROGRESS Trial.

This trial is a prospective, randomized, controlled trial to evaluate management of moderate aortic stenosis by clinical surveillance versus transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) using the Edwards Sapien 3 Ultra valve. OHI is the only center in Oklahoma participating in the study and the 4th center in the world to treat a PROGRESS trial patient.

Currently only patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis can undergo aortic valve replacement. The PROGRESS Trial is investigating if early intervention may help improve outcomes in patients with moderate aortic stenosis and clinical characteristics associated with worse prognosis.

October 25, 2021 – Oklahoma Heart Institute, led by Kamran Muhammad, M.D., is participating in the CardiAMP™ Cell Therapy Trial for Heart Failure, sponsored by the Oklahoma Heart Research & Education Foundation (OHREF). This therapy is studying the use of a patient’s own stem cells in the treatment of ischemic heart failure (patients with previous heart attacks and reduced heart muscle function), using a personalized and minimally invasive approach.

Preliminary results suggest that women may be more likely than men to meet the criteria for study eligibility. The importance of including more women into this and other heart failure research programs is vital to understand and improve outcomes for all patients.

June 22, 2021 – Oklahoma Heart Institute (OHI), in partnership with the Oklahoma Heart Research & Education Foundation and Edwards Lifesciences, was the first center in the world to use the new Edwards PASCAL Precision system for treatment of severe mitral valve regurgitation (leaky heart valve) as part of the CLASP IID/IIF Pivotal Trial on May 25, 2021. This research trial is a prospective, multicenter, randomized, controlled pivotal trial to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of transcatheter mitral valve repair with the Edwards PASCAL Transcatheter Valve Repair System compared to the Abbott MitraClip in patients with degenerative mitral regurgitation (DMR) who have been determined to be at prohibitive risk for open-heart mitral valve surgery by the heart team and in patients with functional mitral regurgitation (FMR) on guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT).

OHI is pleased to be the first center in the world to utilize the next-generation PASCAL Precision system. OHI is one of 65 major U.S. cardiac centers participating in the CLASP IID/IIF trial. Patients who are enrolled in this trial may be candidates for minimally-invasive, non-surgical transcatheter mitral valve repair to treat their leaky mitral valve with the Edwards PASCAL device.

OHI continues to be the leader in innovation for the treatment of heart disease in Oklahoma and the region.

June 22, 2021 – Oklahoma Heart Institute (OHI), in partnership with the Oklahoma Heart Research & Education Foundation and Edwards Lifesciences, was the first center in the world to use the new Edwards PASCAL Precision system for treatment of severe mitral valve regurgitation (leaky heart valve) as part of the CLASP IID/IIF Pivotal Trial on May 25, 2021. This research trial is a prospective, multicenter, randomized, controlled pivotal trial to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of transcatheter mitral valve repair with the Edwards PASCAL Transcatheter Valve Repair System compared to the Abbott MitraClip in patients with degenerative mitral regurgitation (DMR) who have been determined to be at prohibitive risk for open-heart mitral valve surgery by the heart team and in patients with functional mitral regurgitation (FMR) on guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT).

OHI is pleased to be the first center in the world to utilize the next-generation PASCAL Precision system. OHI is one of 65 major U.S. cardiac centers participating in the CLASP IID/IIF trial. Patients who are enrolled in this trial may be candidates for minimally-invasive, non-surgical transcatheter mitral valve repair to treat their leaky mitral valve with the Edwards PASCAL device.

OHI continues to be the leader in innovation for the treatment of heart disease in Oklahoma and the region.