MITRACLIP

A minimally invasive way to repair a leaking mitral valve without having to undergo traditional open heart surgery. Patients who undergo this procedure have a significant improvement in stamina without having to experience the prolonged recovery normally experienced with traditional open heart surgery.

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+ WHO IS A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR MITRACLIP?

Patients who have severe mitral valve regurgitation (leaking) and are deemed to be very high surgical candidates for invasive mitral valve repair or replacement.

+ WHAT TESTS OR CONSULTS DO I NEED AS PART OF MY WORK-UP FOR MITRACLIP?

  • Transthoracic echo
  • Interventional cardiology consult
  • Cardiothoracic surgical consult

+ HOW IS THE MITRACLIP DONE?

  • Mitraclip is done in the hospital and requires an overnight stay
  • You have to be asleep for the MitraClip
  • It takes about 1-3 hours to complete the MitraClip, but there is always about 45 minutes of prep time and 45 minutes of recovery time after the MitraClip is done
  • You will have catheters (tubes) advanced along your neck, wrist and both groins
  • You will likely be a little groggy after the MitraClip because of the anesthesia
  • There will likely be some soreness along the groins and neck immediately after the MitraClip

+ WHAT CAN I EXPECT POST MITRACLIP?

  • You will need to spend the night in the hospital and usually go home the next day
  • Bruising and small bumps along the groin puncture site or down your legs is expected and will disappear within 1-2 months
  • If you had shortness of breath, it should improve over the next 2 weeks
  • No lifting more than 20lbs on either hand for 1 week
  • No running, jumping, squatting, exercising, swimming or submerging your body under water for 1 week
  • You CAN walk, climb stairs and shower the day after your MitraClip