St Vincents Private Hospitals

How does it work?

The mitral valve clip is a minimally invasive procedure that avoids the need for open heart surgery. It works by repairing the faulty mitral valve which no longer functions efficiently. The mitral clip is guided into place through a leg vein using a catheter. Here, it is attached to the abnormal part of the valve, closing it tightly and minimising any further leaking. With a shorter recovery time and significantly less pain, the mitral valve clip procedure is often recommended for patients that are considered too high risk for surgery.

Why is it performed?

Mitral valve clip is generally performed in cases of mitral valve regurgitation, where open heart surgery is not considered a suitable option. Mitral regurgitation is a condition that generally worsens over time, leading to increasing and worsening symptoms that may include:

• Fatigue
• Swollen ankles or legs
• Palpitations
• Chest pain
• Breathlessness

Procedure

After a general anaesthetic is administered to help you sleep during the surgery, a catheter is inserted into a leg vein in your groin. A special type of X-ray imaging helps guide the catheter and mitral clip into position, before closing the clip on the heart valve’s weakest point using a technique known as ‘edge to edge’ repair. The operation usually takes between two to four hours.

Recovery

The recovery time after mitral valve clip procedure will vary by patient, with some able to return home the same day. Your medical team will provide you with a detailed discharge plan before you leave. Patients are likely to experience some immediate relief from mitral regurgitation symptoms after the operation.