Mitral valve clip repair

Mitral regurgitation is a condition that occurs when the mitral valve does not close properly. It allows blood to flow backwards into the left atrium, meaning the heart has to work harder to pump blood around the body.

Left untreated, it can worsen over time, leading to symptoms like shortness of breath and even heart failure. 

Mitral valve clip surgery, often referred to as MitraClip™ or TEER (Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair), is needed to treat severe mitral regurgitation caused by a leaky mitral valve. Our experienced cardiac surgeons primarily recommend it for patients who are experiencing severe symptoms, such as breathlessness and fatigue, but are considered too high risk to have traditional open-heart mitral valve replacement surgery.

As well as shortness of breath, other symptoms of mitral regurgitation and mitral valve disease can include chest pain, dizziness and palpitations, even when lying down in some cases. Some people may also notice swelling in the ankles and feet. However, it’s important to remember than not everyone experiences symptoms.

Mitral valve replacement surgery is a complex and major open-heart surgery where a damaged heart valve is removed and replaced with either a mechanical or biological valve prosthesis.

It’s used to treat severe mitral regurgitation (leaky valve) or stenosis (a narrowed valve) when the valve cannot be repaired.

Mitral TEER is a minimally invasive alternative repair treatment to open-heart valve repair or replacement surgery. It is most suited to older or more infirm adults who are at high risk of complications for open heart surgery and are experiencing severe, symptomatic mitral regurgitation.

Your consultant will advise you on the best procedure for your own health and condition.

Mitral TEER is often recommended for patients experiencing severe breathlessness and fatigue, but who are considered too high risk to have traditional open-heart surgery. So although, like all surgeries, Mitral TEER carries some risk, it’s considered a safer and lower risk surgical alternative for a leaking mitral valve.

Your consultant will talk to you about the risks of the TEER procedure and how they compare to alternative kinds of surgery.

With a minimally invasive Miral Teer procedure, an incision is made in the groin area through which a guide wire runs into the heart along the vein and a sheath is passed into the left atrium. A MitraClip™ or alternative device is inserted into the left atrium through the sheath and carefully positioned above the mitral valve.

The clip's arms are opened out and the clip is moved down into the left ventricle. Your consultant will then retract the clip until its arms embrace the two flaps, or leaflets, in the valve. The arms then close and special grippers hold both leaflets securely in place.

Mitral valve replacement surgery is a more complex and major open-heart surgery. Your experienced cardiac team will open up your chest cavity to gain access to your diseased mitral valve, which they will remove. They’ll then sew a new mechanical or biological prosthetic valve into its place. 

The whole procedure can take up to four hours. It’s typically performed under general anaesthetic and while your heart is temporarily stopped using a cardiopulmonary bypass machine. 

Repair is generally preferred over replacement, as it avoids the need for lifelong blood thinners, preserves better long-term heart function and has a shorter recovery time.

For some patients, medication can help alleviate symptoms. In some cases, you could need a more extensive mitral valve replacement open surgery, involving larger incisions and a longer hospital stay and recovery.

The cost of your treatment will depend on the package of care your consultant recommends. For your peace of mind, we offer transparent pricing and will outline exactly what your consultant has included in your treatment package and the overall amount you can expect to pay.

Minimally invasive mitral valve repair surgery recovery can take four to eight weeks, compared to two to three months for traditional open-heart surgery. 

HCA UK offers excellent post-operative heart care to help ensure that you have a good long-term recovery and the best possible outcomes. That typically involves staying a few days in hospital with us until your specialist cardiac surgeon is happy for you to return home. That’s followed by a structured period of rest and light activity. 

Eventually, you’ll be encouraged to participate in cardiac rehabilitation to help safely rebuild your strength. Our specialist teams will be here to support you for the long-term on your journey back to good heart health.

The good news is that mitral valve repair is highly durable and most patients will never need a second operation. Nine out of ten repaired valves are still successfully functioning up to 20 years later, meaning that they have great longevity.

Many patients who undergo a successful mitral valve repair procedure before significant heart damage has occurred will go on to have a good life expectancy, comparable to that of people in the general population of the same age and sex.