MitraClip

What Is a MitraClip?

A mitral clip is a medical device that can be used minimally invasively via a catheter for mitral valve insufficiency to close the leaky valve opening and prevent blood from flowing back.

Four cardiac valves separate atriums from ventricles and ventricles from circuits. They function like valves and ensure that the blood always flows in the right direction by either opening or closing. The mitral valve, which consists of 2 lobed cusps located between the left atrium and left ventricle, is essential.

It is exposed to high-pressure loads and is susceptible to degenerative and functional alterations. Mitral valve insufficiency, i.e., a leaking mitral valve often occurs when blood flows against the ventricle's normal direction back into the atrium. If left untreated, this can have severe consequences and, in the worst-case, lead to heart failure.

For Whom Is Mitral Valve Reconstruction By MitralClip Suitable?

Mitral valve reconstruction by mitral clip is suitable for patients with a too high risk for undergoing open-heart surgery. For example, due to serious secondary diseases, reduced exercise tolerance, or advanced age. The anatomy of the heart and its mechanism of mitral valve insufficiency are other important conditions. Whether or not mitral valve reconstruction with a mitral clip is indicated is decided for each patient by cardiac surgeons and cardiologists in cooperation.

The Procedure of MitraClip Surgery

The minimally invasive procedure with MitraClip is carried out under general anesthesia and can take between 2 and 5 hours. First, the groin vein is punctured to insert a catheter, which is forwarded to the left atrium and passed through the cardiac septum into the left atrium. The MitraClip can be pushed to the mitral valve via the tunnel-like system and optimally positioned using a movable arm. The surgery aims to attach the MitraClip so that both mitral valve cusps are connected at the point of maximum reflux, which creates a double opening that prevents backflow.

The catheter's position is continuously monitored by transesophageal echocardiography to ensure the optimal fit of the MitraClip and avoid complications.

Durability and Life Expectancy

According to recent studies, the interventional MitraClip method is considered safe and has a high success rate. Besides, the patients' quality of life improves considerably, just one year after the intervention. Long-term studies on durability are still pending.

Hospital Stay and Follow-Up Care

Patients usually stay in the hospital for a total of 5-7 days.

Follow-up treatment includes therapy with anticoagulants, carried out up to 6 months postoperatively in consultation with the treating physician, and is adjusted if necessary. Follow-up appointments are usually 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery and include echocardiographic monitoring and clinical examinations of exercise tolerance and laboratory values.

Which Doctors and Clinics Are MitraClip Specialized in Germany and Switzerland?

MitraClip specialists are heart surgeons and cardiologists who work in close cooperation with anesthesiologists. The procedure should be carried out in a catheter laboratory or, in the best case, in a "hybrid surgery room."

We help you to find an expert for your disease. All listed doctors and clinics have been checked by us for their outstanding specialization in the field of MitraClip and are awaiting your inquiry or treatment request.

Sources

• Lapp, H., & Krakau, I. (2014). Das Herzkatheterbuch diagnostische und interventionelle Kathetertechniken ;. Stuttgart: Thieme.