Transcatheter Mitral Valve Repair (TMVr) using Mitraclip™

The Structural Heart & Valve team at Powers Health was the first in Northwest Indiana to perform a transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVr), a minimally invasive procedure used to treat mitral regurgitation. The TMVr procedure utilizes MitraClip™, a device that allows physicians to treat mitral regurgitation without the need for open heart surgery. A minimally invasive treatment Mitral regurgitation, also known as “leaky valve,” occurs when the valve leaflets weaken and don’t close completely as the heart pumps, allowing blood back into the heart atrium. The leakage can lead to increased volume and pressure in the heart, which can ultimately cause heart failure.

TMVr is performed through a small catheter threaded through the groin vein that eliminates the need for traditional open heart surgery.

The MitraClip device is a small metal clip covered with a polyester fabric that is implanted on the mitral valve. The device treats mitral regurgitation by fastening together a small area of the mitral valve’s flaps, enabling the valve to close more completely.

The TMVr procedure

TMVr is performed in the hybrid OR at Community Hospital, a space specially equipped to provide high-quality imaging and real-time monitoring of the patient’s vital signs as the procedure is performed.

During the procedure, the valve continues to open and close on either side of the clip. This allows blood to flow on both sides of the clip while reducing the flow of blood in the wrong direction. Once the MitraClip is advanced into position using a guidewire, set into place below the regurgitating valve and the clip arms opened, the guidewire and delivery system are removed from the heart chamber.