MitraClip Procedure in New Jersey
What is a MitraClip?
The MitraClip® is a permanent implant device that enables the heart to pump blood more efficiently and relieves the symptoms of mitral valve regurgitation (a leaky heart valve or heart murmur). Mitral valve regurgitation symptoms include shortness of breath, fatigue, cough and swelling of the feet or ankles.
What is a MitraClip Procedure?
A MitraClip procedure is not surgery and can typically take place in an outpatient or ambulatory setting. It’s usually performed under general anesthesia.
A cardiologist inserts a catheter into the femoral vein (a blood vessel located in the groin) and gently guides the MitraClip through the catheter and into the heart’s mitral valve, where it clips onto the valve to help it close properly and stop the leaking.
Most patients experience relief of symptoms caused by mitral valve regurgitation (leaky heart valve or heart murmur) shortly after the MitraClip procedure.What is a Leaky Heart Valve (Mitral Regurgitation)?
Heart valves open and close to make sure blood pumps through the heart’s chambers in the right direction. When the mitral valve doesn’t close all the way, it allows blood to leak backwards into the chamber it just left. This condition is called mitral regurgitation (also known as a heart murmur or leaky heart valve).
There are two types of mitral regurgitation, or leaky heart valves:
- Primary mitral regurgitation, or degenerative mitral regurgitation: This leaky valve may be due to a birth defect, heart disease or your age.
- Secondary mitral regurgitation, or functional mitral regurgitation: This leaky valve is usually due to heart disease.
Who is a Candidate for MitraClip?
The MitraClip device works well in older adults, those diagnosed with severe mitral regurgitation and those who have undergone previous heart surgery.
Factors such as your age, your heart valve anatomy and the condition of your heart can affect whether you are eligible for a MitraClip procedure. The MitraClip device is not appropriate for those have any of the following conditions:
- Blood thinner medication intolerance;
- Inflammation;
- An active infection of your mitral valve;
- A blood clot in your heart.
Learn more about valve surgery at Hackensack Meridian Health.
Frequently Asked Questions
A catheter is inserted through the femoral vein (a blood vessel located in the groin) up to the heart. The device is then guided to the mitral valve where it grasps the “leaflets” to improve valve closure and reduce the backflow of blood.
This does not require the heart-lung bypass machine as your heart will continue to beat during the procedure. Typically offered in an outpatient or ambulatory setting, this procedure is performed under general anesthesia and usually, higher risk patients require an overnight stay in the hospital to monitor for complications.
Most patients experience relief of the MR symptoms shortly after the procedure.