MitraClip Therapy: A minimally invasive treatment for mitral regurgitation

If you have a leaky heart valve, UW Health offers MitraClip therapy to close the valve more completely and get you feeling better. University of Wisconsin Hospitals, part of UW Health, is ranked as high performing in cardiology and heart surgery by U.S. News & World Report.

Overview

A less-invasive option for mitral valve repair

If you develop mitral regurgitation — a weakening of the heart’s mitral valve — you may need mitral valve surgery. UW Health offers MitraClip therapy, a minimally invasive procedure to treat severe mitral valve regurgitation.

About

What is MitraClip therapy?

MitraClip therapy helps your mitral valve close more completely preventing blood from flowing backwards in your heart. 

MitraClip therapy may be an option if you cannot have traditional open-heart mitral valve surgery. Your doctor will determine the severity of your mitral valve regurgitation and discuss all treatment options.

Treatment Process

What happens during MitraClip therapy?

MitraClip therapy is a type of transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVR). During TMVR, a catheter tube is inserted in a large vein in your leg and guided to your heart. Once in place, your doctor guides a clip — the MitraClip — through the tube to your mitral valve. 

The MitraClip is implanted onto the center of your mitral valve, creating a tighter closure of the valve during the heart’s contraction.

During your procedure 

MitraClip procedures are typically performed in the hospital’s catheterization lab. The catheterization lab is a room with special heart imaging equipment.

You will be asleep during your MitraClip procedure, which can take up to four hours to complete. 

After your procedure 

The MitraClip procedure requires a short hospital stay, usually overnight, however, a longer stay may be required. You may need to remain in the hospital for up to five days after your procedure. Your doctor will perform tests on your heart and may prescribe blood-thinning medications. 

When you leave the hospital, it’s important to limit physical activity and follow any additional instructions from your doctor.

Meet our team

A team approach to heart valve care

Your MitraClip procedure will be done by an interventional cardiologist. Other UW Health providers may also care for you before and after your procedure. Our specialists in heart valve disorders include cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, interventional cardiologists, advanced practice providers, imaging specialists and radiologists.

MitraClip Therapy

Treatment locations

Where to get MitraClip therapy

UW Health’s heart team performs MitraClip therapy at University Hospital in Madison. We offer consultations and follow-up appointments at cardiovascular medicine outreach clinics across Wisconsin or with your primary care provider.