Introduction

What Is Mitral Regurgitation?

The mitral valve is located between the two left chambers of the heart. Under normal conditions, it allows blood to flow forward through the heart during each heartbeat. When the mitral valve fails to close completely, blood leaks backward into the left atrium. This condition is known as mitral regurgitation.

Causes

Causes

There are several potential causes of mitral regurgitation, including:

  • ● Heart disease (such as heart failure), or other conditions that cause dilation of the mitral valve annulus
  • ● High blood pressure (hypertension)
  • ● Degeneration of heart tissue leading to mitral valve prolapse
  • ● Congenital mitral valve abnormalities (present at birth)
  • ● Rheumatic heart disease
  • ● Degenerative changes due to aging
Symptoms

Symptoms

To compensate for mitral or tricuspid regurgitation, the heart’s ventricles increase their pumping effort to maintain sufficient blood supply to the body. Over time, this overwork can cause the heart muscle to enlarge and weaken. The extra strain on the heart and lungs may eventually result in heart failure. Inadequate blood flow may also lead to arrhythmias, stroke, or even sudden cardiac death.

Some patients with mitral or tricuspid regurgitation may not notice any symptoms initially. Others may experience:

  • ● Fatigue and weakness
  • ● Shortness of breath (dyspnea), especially during exertion or when lying down
  • ● Coughing, particularly at night or when lying flat
  • ● Swelling in the lower limbs (edema)
  • ● Poor appetite
  • ● Palpitations (awareness of a rapid or irregular heartbeat)
  • ● Arrhythmias
Operation

The MitraClip Procedure

The MitraClip procedure is performed under general anesthesia in a catheterization laboratory, with the guidance of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and X-ray imaging.

A thin tube (catheter) is inserted through a vein in the patient’s leg and guided to the heart. The MitraClip device is then deployed to grasp and clip together the leaflets of the mitral valve, helping to reduce the backward flow of blood (regurgitation).

  • ● The procedure typically takes three to four hours, depending on the patient’s heart anatomy
  • ● Hospital stay after the procedure is usually one to five days
Notice

Postoperative Care

  • ● The MitraClip device is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and has been used in over 80,000 patients worldwide
  • ● Your doctor will discuss how the risks of MitraClip therapy compare with other available treatment options
  • ● The device is very small, less than the size of a fingertip, and patients do not feel its presence after implantation
  • ● Your doctor may prescribe blood-thinning medication after the procedure. It is essential to follow all medication instructions carefully
  • ● Most patients do not require special home assistance after being discharged, unless other medical conditions are present

For further information, please consult your attending doctor or cardiologist. 

The above information is for reference only. As each patient’s condition may vary, please consult your doctor for individual assessment and advice.