What to Expect

Follow along with our step-by-step guide to the MitraClip™ transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) procedure for mitral valve repair.

Procedure Overview

The MitraClip Therapy Procedure

MitraClip TEER is a minimally invasive procedure

The MitraClip Therapy procedure is performed in a hospital by a specialized care team, but is not surgery. The doctor repairs the mitral valve through a small puncture in your groin, rather than an open-chest incision.

The procedure is performed under general anesthesia and typically lasts 1 to 3 hours.1 People typically return home after 1 day in the hospital.1

The following steps provide a general overview of the MitraClip Therapy procedure—your experience may be different. The doctor can explain the procedure to you, provide specific details, and answer questions you may have.

The MitraClip Procedure

Here’s what happens:

Access through a vein

Access through a vein

The doctor will make a small puncture in the groin to access a vein and inserts a catheter to reach the heart.

Placing the clip

Placing the MitraClip implant

The implant is guided to the heart and placed in the mitral valve. One or more implants may be used to repair the leak.

Finishing the procedure

Finishing the procedure

The catheter is removed and the MitraClip implant becomes a permanent part of the heart. Once in place, the implant helps the valve close more tightly. When the sides of the valve open, blood flows around the implant, into the ventricle.

Recovery

The path to healing and feeling better

Most patients go home the next day.1 But before you leave, the doctor will discuss next steps with you. 

They will give you specific instructions to help you with your recovery. It is important to carefully follow the doctor’s directions, especially if you need to take any medications. 

The procedure can provide immediate reduction of mitral regurgitation. You should experience relief from your symptoms soon after your procedure. However, it's still normal to need a bit of rest as your body heals. You should be back to light activities after 2 weeks.1

Important recovery tips:

  • You will need to keep the small incision area in your groin dry for the first 24 hours. This is where the doctor accessed your vein for the procedure.
  • You are likely able to take a shower, but avoid soaking the access site.
  • Avoid perfumes, lotions, etc near the access site.
  • If bruising around the access site suddenly gets bigger or harder, call your doctor immediately.
  • If any bleeding occurs, or if symptoms worsen, you may need to go to the emergency department.
Following Up

Checking in after your heart procedure

Regular check-ups with your doctor are very important. You will be released to the care of your cardiologist or family doctor, and you may be asked to return for follow-up visits per your doctor’s directions. It’s important that you reach out to your doctor whenever you have questions or concerns about your health.

Your Abbott Implant Card

Your Abbott Implant Card

As you leave the hospital, you will receive an implant card with information about your MitraClip Therapy. Please share your implant card with your healthcare team and before any medical, dental, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) procedures.

Is MitraClip Therapy right for me?

Use our quick questionnaire to see if you might be a candidate for MitraClip Therapy.

Start Questionnaire

Start an assessment

Ready to discuss with your doctor?

If your mitral regurgitation symptoms are interrupting your daily life, download this discussion guide to prepare for your next doctor’s appointment.

Download Discussion Guide

Find a MitraClip Therapy cardiologist near me

Find a cardiologist near me

Meet with a specialized care team experienced with the MitraClip Therapy procedure.
Important Safety Information
Important Safety Information

What is MitraClip™ Therapy approved for?

Available by prescription only.

MitraClip therapy is a minimally invasive procedure approved for treating patients with clinically significant mitral regurgitation due to either (a) a deteriorated mitral valve in patients who are deemed to be at prohibitive risk for surgery, or (b) mitral valve in patients who have heart failure and reduced pumping function who remain symptomatic despite maximally tolerated medications to treat their heart failure.

Patients should work with their doctor and a multidisciplinary heart team, which may include a heart surgeon and cardiologist with experience treating heart failure, to confirm their surgical risk and to ensure that they are on the optimal medications. The heart team will determine if transcatheter edge-to-edge valve repair is clinically appropriate, and if the patient meets the indications for the MitraClip procedure.

Who should not have the MitraClip Procedure?

Patients that have any of the following conditions may not be good candidates for the MitraClip Procedure: Patients with intolerance or allergy to procedural anticoagulation, untreatable hypersensitivity to implant components (nickel-titanium alloy, cobalt-chromium alloy), or active endocarditis or other active infection of the mitral valve.

What are the possible complications associated with the MitraClip Procedure?

As with any medical procedure, there is a possibility of complications. The most serious complications of the MitraClip procedure includes, but are not limited to: death, stroke (a condition in which decreased blood flow to the brain can result in brain damage and may cause severe disability), transient ischemic attack (stroke symptoms that last only a few minutes), major vascular complications (damage to a major blood vessel that may require emergency surgery or urgent cardiac surgery), life threatening bleeding event (a major bleeding event that requires a blood transfusion).  For additional potential risks and complications, please consult with your physician or heart team.

Talk to your doctor to learn more about the risks associated with MitraClip Therapy and ask for the detailed Important Safety Information if you'd like to review the full list of complications.

Reference:

  1. Kar S et al. Contemporary outcomes following transcatheter edge-to-edge repair: 1-year results from the EXPAND study. JACC Cardiovasc Interv. 2023;16(5):589–602.

MAT-2600337 v1.0 | Item approved for U.S. use only