What is Mitral regurgitation?

The mitral valve separates the left main pumping chamber of the heart (left ventricle) from left upper chamber of the heart (atrium) and lungs. The mitral valve prevents backward flow of blood. If this valve becomes incompetent, causing mitral regurgitation of blood occurs and increases the pressures in the lungs and right side of the heart. Ultimately this increase in pressure causes left and right heart failure.

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Mitral Regurgitation: Treatment

What is Mitraclip?

Abbot Scientific’s Mitraclip® mitral valve repair system has been successfully tested and gained FDA approval for use in the United States. The MitraClip® system utilizes the same percutaneous approach used in coronary stenting and the same intracardiac approach used in mitral valvuloplasty; completely percutaneous, via the groin arteries and veins. The repair system is reserved for patients diagnosed with severe mitral regurgitation who are less than adequate candidates for open-heart repair.  Dr. Flaherty performed the first Mitraclip in the Region.