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MitraClip For Degenerative Mitral Regurgitation

Degenerative mitral regurgitation is a common heart valve disorder affecting around 2% of the population, and the prevalence of the disease increases with age.

Mitral valve regurgitation or insufficiency is a disorder in which the heart valve doesn’t close properly, leading to the backflow of blood. There are two types of mitral valve disease, degenerative and functional mitral valve regurgitation.

In this blog, we will discuss all about degenerative mitral regurgitation, including its symptoms, causes, and mitraClip treatment for degenerative mitral regurgitation. Moreover, we will discuss how expert cardiologists, with their professionally-trained medical team, can help you treat degenerative mitral valve regurgitation.

What Is Degenerative Mitral Regurgitation?

To start from the basics, a degenerative disease is when the function or structure of the affected organs or tissues changes or damages. The same happens with degenerative mitral valve regurgitation, leading to dysfunction of the mitral valve.

Degenerative mitral valve disease is a type of mitral valve regurgitation in which the mitral valve becomes dysfunctional or doesn’t function properly. This happens because the flaps of the mitral valve swell or hang downward and do not close tightly. The irregularities in the mitral valves develop over time and cause gaps and loosening of the valve, preventing it from closing properly.

What Happens In Degenerative Mitral Valve Regurgitation?

In this disorder, a degenerative mitral valve becomes a leaky valve. Normal heart valves function by assuring that the blood flows only one way and in the right direction, from the atria to the ventricles and from the ventricles to the lungs, and then to the rest of the body. A leaky valve causes blood to flow back into the previous chamber (regurgitation) rather than moving forward.

Degenerative Mitral Regurgitation Symptoms

The symptoms of degenerative mitral valve regurgitation are the same as mitral valve disease, which include:

  • Irregular heartbeat
  • Swollen ankles or feet
  • Shortness of breath
  • Palpitations (feelings of a pounding, rapid, or fluttering heartbeat).
  • Fatigue
  • Excessive urination
  • Fainting

Degenerative Mitral Regurgitation Causes

The causes of degenerative mitral valve regurgitation may include:

  • Mitral valve prolapse (A condition in which the mitral valve bows back into the left atrium).
  • Thickening of the heart muscle
  • Heart attack.
  • Rheumatic fever
  • Radiation therapy
  • Heart diseases present by birth

Degenerative Mitral Regurgitation Treatment

MitraClip is a common implantation procedure used to treat degenerative mitral regurgitation.

MitraClip For Degenerative Mitral Regurgitation

An effective treatment for degenerative mitral regurgitation is MitraClip implantation. It was approved by the US FDA in October 2013 for the treatment of asymptomatic degenerative mitral regurgitation in patients who were at a prohibitive risk for undergoing surgical mitral valve replacement or repair.

What Is MitraClip?

MitraClip is a minimally invasive procedure to treat or fix a leaky mitral valve. It involves inserting the MitraClip device through a thin, flexible tube called a catheter by making small incisions in the blood vessels of the legs.

The MitraClip device is directed to reach the heart. The small implanted Mitraclip attaches to the diseased mitral valve and helps it to close and function properly while restoring normal blood flow.

What Is MitraClip Made Of?

It is a small clip made of metal that is covered with a polyester fabric.

Benefits Of MitraClip

There are numerous benefits of the MitraClip procedure, including:

  • It is a safe and well-tolerated procedure and improves the quality of life.
 
  • MitraClip is a minimally-invasive treatment option. Unlike traditional surgery, it does not require temporarily stopping the heart or opening the chest.
 
  • The MitraClip is smaller than a dime, which allows the device to attach to the mitral valve through a catheter-based procedure. This eliminates the need for large-incision-based surgery.
 
  • It is a cost-effective procedure.
 
  • MitraClip procedure is associated with a reduced risk of mortality and heart failure.
 
  • It is a quick implantation procedure, typically requiring 1 to 3 hours.
 
    • MitraClip procedure requires shorter hospital stays compared to other heart surgeries. Patients are discharged from the hospital within 1 to 3 days after MitraClip implantation.

Are There Any Risks Or Adverse Effects Of MitraClip Procedure?

The risks and complication rates of MitraClip are low. The safety and efficacy of MitraClip implantation are well-established, and the overall rate of major complications is around 4.35%.

The possible adverse effects of MitraClip may include:

  • Blood infection
  • Vascular complications
  • Bleeding
  • Acute kidney failure
  • Death from the MitraClip procedure is rare.

With expert cardiologists who assure proper patient selection for the procedure, the risks with MitraClip therapy become low, increasing the chances of success.

Degenerative Mitral Regurgitation Treatment

At The Valve Clinic, our team of cardiovascular specialists and medically-trained professionals develop a specialized treatment plan for patients suffering from degenerative mitral valve regurgitation using the latest technologies along with providing comprehensive evaluation.

From providing a detailed assessment, disease education, specialized treatment plan, and awareness about the processes and testing required to treat degenerative mitral valve regurgitation, The Valve Clinic caters each patient according to their needs and health condition.