This procedure works well for mitral regurgitation and there are no serious concerns about its safety for patients who cannot have open surgery.
Mitral regurgitation happens when the mitral valve in the heart does not close properly. This allows blood to flow the wrong way. The heart then has to work harder to pump blood around the body, which can lead to heart failure. In this procedure, a small clip is guided into the heart through a catheter (thin tube) inserted into a vein in the groin. The clip is attached to the leaflets (flaps) of the mitral valve to help it close more completely. The aim is to improve symptoms and quality of life.
The NHS website may be a good place to find out more. NICE’s information on interventional procedures guidance has more about what a procedure is and how we assess them.
Is this procedure right for me?
If you’ve been offered this procedure, your healthcare professionals should discuss with you what is involved and tell you about the risks and benefits. They should talk with you about your options, and listen carefully to your views and concerns. Your family can be involved too, if you wish. All of this should happen before you agree (consent) to have the procedure. You should also be told how to find more information about the procedure. Read more about making decisions about your care.
Some questions to think about
- What does the procedure involve?
- What are the possible benefits? How likely am I to get them?
- What are the risks or side effects? How likely are they?
- What happens if the procedure doesn’t work or something goes wrong?
- What happens if I don’t want the procedure? Are there other treatments available?
ISBN: 978-1-4731-3374-7
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