MitraClip is a nonsurgical treatment for mitral valve regurgitation, or a leaky mitral heart valve. Also called transcatheter mitral valve repair, the MitraClip procedure can be an alternative to open-heart surgery.
Valley’s structural heart team is highly experienced in performing mitral valve clip procedures. In fact, we were the first in Bergen, Passaic and Rockland counties to use the MitraClip device. Since then, we’ve helped hundreds of patients with mitral regurgitation live fuller, more active lives.
Watch: Transcatheter edge to edge repair (TEER) is a minimally invasive, non-surgical treatment option most commonly performed using a MitraClip device. This technique is used to treat high-risk patients who have severe mitral valve regurgitation, a heart valve disease where the heart’s mitral valve does not close tightly.
Am I a Candidate for MitraClip?
Valley offers a full range of heart valve repair and replacement options. Our team works with you to determine if MitraClip is right for you.
MitraClip is an option for patients with severe mitral valve regurgitation. You may be a good candidate for MitraClip if:
- You have significant symptoms of mitral regurgitation, like shortness of breath, heart palpitations or swelling in the feet or ankles (edema)
- You are very sick and/or frail
- You have an existing medical condition that could make open-heart surgery more risky
- You have had previous heart surgery
What is MitraClip Mitral Valve Repair?
Heart valves have leaflets or flaps that open and close to allow blood to flow in the right direction at the right time. When you have mitral regurgitation, the flaps don’t close properly. This causes the blood to leak back into your lungs.
MitraClip is a minimally invasive, nonsurgical procedure to repair your mitral valve. The device clips onto the leaflets and partially closes the mitral valve — restoring normal blood flow.
This helps your heart work better, while relieving symptoms like shortness of breath immediately.
The MitraClip Procedure
Valley’s experienced structural heart specialists perform the minimally invasive MitraClip procedure in our state-of-the-art heart catheterization lab.
During the procedure, your structural heart specialist will:
- Insert a catheter (a tiny, flexible tube) through a small incision to the vein in the groin
- Guide the catheter to the heart using advanced imaging
- Secure the MitraClip device onto the leaflets
- Assess the valve function and adjust if needed
- Remove the catheter
The procedure, including recovery from anesthesia, takes about two to three hours.
Recovery After MitraClip
Your recovery after the MitraClip procedure will vary depending on your overall health. It is a minimally invasive procedure with a very small incision. So, you can expect less pain and faster healing compared to an open surgery.
After the procedure, you’ll start your recovery at the hospital, in a private room. You can expect to be in the hospital from one to three days. And you can typically return to regular activity soon after you leave the hospital.
The MitraClip procedure can help significantly improve your quality of life. You’ll likely experience immediate relief from your symptoms of mitral valve regurgitation. Our patients report that they continue to feel better as they move through recovery and their heart function improves.
Why Choose Valley for MitraClip?
- Experience you can count on: As the first hospital to bring the MitraClip to our surrounding area, Valley’s team is highly experienced. We give many patients, like those with mitral valve regurgitation and heart failure, options they may not have everywhere.
- Coordinated, team approach to your care: Our heart experts collaborate and make care decisions as a team — with you at the center. We combine our multispecialty expertise with your specific needs and preferences to tailor a care plan just for you. You’ll also have dedicated nurse navigators helping to coordinate all the tests and services you need. This allows you to focus on your health.
- Cleveland Clinic alliance: Valley’s heart program is in alliance with Cleveland Clinic's Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute. This means you can have a built-in second opinion for your heart care from a nationally ranked heart program, without leaving your community.
