What is it
The MitraClip or transcatheter mitral valve repair is a minimally invasive procedure performed in patients with a mitral valve insufficiency/regurgitation (leak) by a team of cardiologist and cardiac surgeons. A flexible tube (catheter) is threaded up from the femoral vein (large vein in the groin) to the heart, across the septum (wall) between the 2 atria (the 2 blood collection chambers of the heart). A small metal clip (covered by a polyester fabric) is gently moved forward from the left atrium to the left ventricle (the main heart chamber) where the valve leaks more. Retracting the clip and closing it brings the valve together again so that the regurgitation of the valve diminishes or almost disappears (Fig. 11). Patients are usually discharged 2 days after the operation.