Overview
Until now, mitral valve surgery has been the only option for treating mitral regurgitation. MitraClip is a form of transcatheter mitral valve repair. It is a less-invasive option for patients who are not candidates for surgery.
How It Works
- Cather placed into the heart through a small incision in the upper leg
- Fluoroscopy (type of x-ray) and echocardiography (heart ultrasound) are used to visualize the heart
- Catheter used to place a clip on the mitral valve to help it close
- Implanted clip becomes part of the heart
Benefits
- Less invasive than traditional open heart surgery
- Shorter hospital stay (two to three days).
- Fast improvement mitral regurgitation symptoms
- Improved quality of life.