MitraClip Procedure
Leaking Heart Valve? Get Your Life Back!
If you're suffering from mitral valve disease, but don't want the pain and risk of open heart surgery, MitraClip® may be for you. The MitraClip® procedure is a minimally invasive procedure to treat mitral valve regurgitation, also known as a leaking heart valve.
What is MitraClip®?
The MitraClip® device is a small clip that is guided into place using a thin tube, or catheter, through a small incision in a leg vein. The MitraClip® is then attached to the flaps of the mitral valve to help it close more completely and restore normal blood flow.
What are the symptoms of a leaking heart valve?
Patients with severe mitral valve regurgitation may have heart failure symptoms such as fatigue, inability to exercise, difficulty breathing with exertion, or worsening edema (swelling). If left untreated, severe mitral valve regurgitation can lead to heart failure or heart rhythm problems (arrhythmias).
How will I know if I'm a candidate for the MitraClip procedure?
The MitraClip® procedure is great for patients who are not good candidates for open heart surgery. With the advent of transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVr), we are now able to provide a less invasive alternative for patients who are not candidates for open-heart surgery but have persistent symptoms despite medical therapy.
Where is the MitraClip procedure offered?
The procedure is performed in a cardiac catheterization lab at FirstHealth’s Reid Heart Center by a coordinated team of cardiac care specialists that includes an interventional cardiologist and cardiothoracic surgeon.
How long can I expect to be in the hospital after the MitraClip procedure?
Although procedures may vary from person to person, typical procedural time is two to three hours and patients are usually released from the hospital within two to three days.
