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MitraClip® Therapy

MitraClip is a breakthrough treatment option for people with mitral regurgitation (MR), a heart valve condition that occurs when the mitral valve doesn't close properly and reduces the amount of blood that flows to the body. MR is a common condition that affects more than 4 million Americans and nearly one in 10 people aged 75 and older.

The MitraClip is a small clip that attaches to the mitral valve and helps close it more completely.

The cardiovascular experts at UPMC were the first in Pennsylvania to perform a catheter-based valve repair with MitraClip following the device’s approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Since then, our structural heart experts have performed hundreds of MitraClip procedures, delivering outstanding treatment outcomes.


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What Is MitraClip?

The MitraClip system is a catheter-based, minimally invasive treatment option that can treat MR in patients who cannot have traditional open surgery. The MitraClip device is delivered to your heart by a catheter inserted into a blood vessel in your groin.

After the device is implanted, it allows your heart to pump blood more efficiently, relieving MR symptoms and improving your quality of life. When compared to traditional open surgery, MitraClip offers several benefits, including:

  • Increased patient safety.
  • Shorter hospital stay.
  • Faster recovery.
  • Reduction in MR.
  • Improvement in symptoms.
  • Reduced hospitalizations for heart failure.

Conditions we treat with MitraClip

MitraClip is used to treat mitral valve regurgitation (MR), a progressive disease in which a leaky mitral valve causes a backward flow of blood in your heart. MR can raise your risk of irregular heartbeats, stroke, and heart failure.

Why Would I Need MitraClip?

Open-heart mitral valve surgery is the standard treatment for MR, but many patients are unable to have open-heart mitral valve surgery because they are at high risk of complications from an invasive procedure. MR medications only help to manage symptoms and do not stop the progression of the disease. MitraClip is a minimally invasive alternative to medication and open-heart surgery.

Who’s a candidate for MitraClip?

You may be a candidate for MitraClip if:

  • You have been diagnosed with MR and can’t have open-heart surgery.
  • Medications have not helped your MR symptoms.
  • Your MR symptoms are severe.
  • You are at high risk of complications from MR.

Alternatives to MitraClip

  • Open heart surgery, that requires a large incision and separation of the ribs.
  • Right chest approach to mitral valve repair (mini-mitral).
  • Intercostal surgical valve replacement (iSVR) which accesses the valve through a small incision between the ribs.
  • Transcatheter mitral valve repair and replacement, which replaces the mitral valve with an artificial valve.

What Are the Risks and Complications of MitraClip?

For many people, MitraClip therapy carries a low risk of complications. As with any surgery, the MitraClip procedure has some risks, including:

  • Stroke.
  • Damage to the artery used for insertion of the catheter.
  • Need for a pacemaker.
  • Major bleeding.
  • Other serious life-threatening events or even death.

What Should I Expect From MitraClip?

If you have been diagnosed with MR, our team of heart valve experts will start by doing a thorough exam. During your mitral valve disease exam, you'll meet with:

  • A heart surgeon.
  • An interventional cardiologist.
  • Advanced practice providers.

Our experts use the latest diagnostic tests to learn about your heart valve condition, including:

  • Cardiac catheterization — This diagnostic procedure involves inserting a tiny, hollow tube (catheter) through a large artery in your leg or arm leading to your heart to provide images of your heart and blood vessels. This procedure is helpful in determining the type and extent of certain valve disorders.
  • Chest x-ray — A chest x-ray is a diagnostic test that uses invisible electromagnetic energy beams to produce images of internal tissues, bones, and organs onto film. An x-ray can show enlargement in any area of the heart.
  • CT angiogram — A CT angiogram is an imaging test that looks at the arteries that supply your heart muscle. This test uses a powerful x-ray machine to produce images of your heart and heart vessels.
  • Echocardiogram (Echo) — This noninvasive ultrasound test evaluates your heart's chambers and valves. The echo sound waves create an image on a monitor as an ultrasound transducer is passed over your heart.
  • Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) — This test records the electrical activity of your heart, shows abnormal rhythms (arrhythmias or dysrhythmias), and can sometimes detect heart muscle damage.
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) — MRI is a diagnostic procedure that uses a combination of large magnets, radio frequencies, and a computer to produce detailed images of organs and structures within the body.
  • Transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) — TEE is a form of echocardiography that is performed by inserting a probe with a transducer into your esophagus rather than placing the transducer on your chest as in a traditional echocardiogram. A TEE provides a clearer image of your heart because the sound waves do not have to pass through skin, muscle, or bone.
  • Two-dimensional echocardiogram (2D Echo) — This test uses ultrasound to display a cross-sectional "slice" of your beating heart, including the chambers, valves, and the major blood vessels that exit from the left and right parts of your heart.

Your doctor may also order other tests, such as:

  • An exercise stress test.
  • Lung function tests.
  • Ultrasound of your carotid artery.
  • Bloodwork and urine tests to look for signs of infection prior to valve replacement.

Before: How to prepare for MitraClip

Your doctor will explain the MitraClip procedure to you and give you a chance to ask questions. To prepare for MitraClip, you should:

  • Tell your doctor if you are sensitive or allergic to any medications, iodine, latex, tape, or anesthetic agents (local and general).
  • Tell your doctor about all medications (prescription and over-the-counter) and herbal or other supplements you are taking.
  • Tell your doctor if you have a history of bleeding disorders or if you are taking any blood-thinning medications, aspirin, or other medications that affect blood clotting. You may need to stop some of the medications prior to the procedure.
  • Fast for a certain period of time prior to the procedure. Your doctor will tell you how long to fast (usually overnight).
  • Have any tests that your doctor recommends. For example, your doctor may request a blood test prior to the procedure to determine how long it takes your blood to clot.

On the day of your MitraClip procedure, be sure to bring your photo ID and health insurance card(s). Leave valuables such as cash and jewelry at home.

After your MitraClip procedure, you will stay in the hospital for 2-3 nights. You should bring toiletries, a robe, slippers, a cell phone and charger, medications, and a change of clothes. You should also arrange for someone to drive you home from the hospital after you are discharged.

How long does MitraClip take?

The MitraClip procedure takes 2-3 hours.

During your MitraClip procedure

During the MitraClip placement procedure, a catheter-like tube will be threaded through your femoral vein in your leg and into your heart. After the device is in place, the leaflets of your mitral valve will be clipped together, helping to prevent a backflow of blood.

Recovery after MitraClip

When your procedure is completed, you will be moved to recovery for observation and monitoring. You will stay in the hospital for 2-3 days after your procedure.

Your doctor will provide more information about your recovery after MitraClip therapy and will let you know when you can resume your normal activities. Most patients who have MitraClip therapy notice an improvement in symptoms shortly after their procedure. However, you should follow your doctor's instructions and go to all of your follow-up appointments.

When to call your doctor about MitraClip complications

You should call your doctor if you are experiencing any unusual symptoms, including:

  • Pain, redness, bleeding, drainage, or increased swelling at the insertion site.
  • Burning or pain in your chest.
  • Rapid or pounding heartbeat.
  • Severe pain, coldness, numbness, or discoloration in the limb where the catheter was inserted.
  • A fever of more than 100.0°F.
  • New or increasing shortness of breath.
  • Difficulty breathing.
  • Difficulty swallowing, throat pain, or bloody cough.
  • Redness or rash on your chest or back.

What’s the prognosis after MitraClip?

Most otherwise healthy patients continue to lead active, normal lives after MitraClip surgery.

What’s the success rate of MitraClip?

Research shows that the success rate for MitraClip therapy exceeds 85 percent. MitraClip may reduce the risk of abnormal heart rhythms, stroke, heart failure, and related hospitalizations.

Why Choose UPMC for MitraClip?

The cardiovascular experts at UPMC were the first in Pennsylvania to perform a catheter-based valve repair with the MitraClip following the device’s approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Our interventional cardiologists are among the most experienced in the region at using the MitraClip device.

Last reviewed by a UPMC medical professional on 2024-10-01.