About Transcatheter Mitral Valve Repair

Open-heart surgery provides effective treatment for mitral valve problems, but some people cannot undergo an operation. Transcatheter mitral valve repair provides a minimally invasive alternative that can improve your quality of life without open-heart surgery. MitraClip is the only device currently approved by the FDA for TMVR.

Made from metal and polyester, the MitraClip is designed to relieve symptoms of mitral regurgitation and prevent hospitalization for heart failure. During the procedure, your care team:

• Makes an opening in the femoral vein in the groin and threads a guide wire and catheter (thin tube) toward the heart
• Gradually moves the guide wire into the left atrium (upper left chamber of the heart), then removes the guide wire
• Eases the clip through the catheter and into the atrium
• Opens the clip’s arms and places them over the valve’s two flaps (leaflets)
• Closes the arms to clip the leaflets together in the middle, creating two smaller channels that prevent the backflow of blood
• Removes the catheter, but leaves the clip in place

You are usually home one to two days after the procedure and will likely feel much better immediately after.