MitraClip: Non-Invasive Treatment for Mitral Regurgitation

St. Joseph’s Hospital physicians are among the first in the United States to offer patients suffering from mitral regurgitation (MR) a minimally invasive treatment option called the MitraClip.

Mitral regurgitation is a debilitating, progressive and life-threatening disease in which a leaky mitral valve causes a backward flow of blood in the heart. The condition can raise the risk of irregular heartbeats, stroke, and heart failure.

Mitral regurgitation is common, affecting more than 4 million Americans – nearly one in 10 people aged 75 and above.ⁱ If medical treatments aren't successful, open heart mitral valve surgery may be required, but many patients are at prohibitive risk for an invasive procedure due to their age or other medical factors. Medications for the condition are limited to symptom management and do not stop the progression of the disease.

Using the MitraClip, the St. Joseph’s Hospital cardiac team can repair the mitral valve without the need for an invasive surgical procedure. The device is delivered to the heart through the femoral vein, a blood vessel in the leg, and once implanted, it allows the heart to pump blood more efficiently, thereby relieving symptoms and improving patient quality of life. Patients undergoing MitraClip treatment typically experience short recovery times and short hospital stays of approximately three days.