MitraClip®: Small Device. Huge Success.
Introduced to our hospital in 2014, the MitraClip® is an advanced surgical procedure recommended for our patients who are high-risk for open-heart surgery. As one of the first programs to perform the mitral valve clip, we’re committed to improving your quality of life and providing you with a comprehensive whole-person recovery.
More and more of our cardiac patients are benefitting from the MitraClip®. In 2016, we performed 40% more MitraClip® procedures than the previous year, making AdventHealth the largest MitraClip® program in the state.
What is the MitraClip®?
The MitraClip® is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat patients with mitral valve regurgitation. A specially designed device is implanted in the heart and connects to areas of the mitral valve to significantly reduce the backflow of blood and decrease the risk of heart failure. Your surgeon will be able to position and reposition the device in real-time.
How to know if you’re a good candidate for the MitraClip®?
If you are a high-risk candidate for traditional surgery options like open-heart surgery, the MitraClip® may be a good alternative. Our multidisciplinary team of cardiac specialists will work together to diagnose you and determine the best treatment plan.
How does the MitraClip® work?
When blood pumps through your heart, it travels from one chamber to the next, moving oxygen throughout. Flaps of tissue called leaflets are located between each chamber, acting as doors that close tightly after each pump. They prevent the oxygenated blood from moving backwards. Mitral regurgitation means the leaflets are not properly sealed, allowing blood to leak and fall out of sequence. During your procedure, one of our talented interventional cardiologists will implant the MitraClip® device through a needle puncture in the skin. A catheter will guide the MitraClip® through your heart and attach it to the leaflets like a clothespin clipping two pieces of fabric. This will ensure the valves are closed, resulting in fewer hospitalizations, a decreased risk of heart failure, and a reduction in leaking.
Questions about MitraClip®? Your dedicated Cardiac Concierge can provide you with more information about this procedure.