At lower levels of MR most doctors suggest regular check-ups and echocardiograph monitoring. At higher levels diuretics are used to reduce fluid buildup in the lungs1; blood thinners and hypertension medications are used to reduce the chances of blood clot formation and reduce pressure on the atrial walls. In more severe cases valve repair or replacement surgery is conducted. But this would usually involve open heart surgery, which is a key disadvantage as the largest demographic for MR are 50 years or older in age and this drastically reduces the success rates of an already high risk …show more content…
It is a first-of-a-kind transcather mitral valve replacement system, approved by the FDA as a class III device2. It consists of three key parts: a Mitraclip device, steerable guided catheter, clip delivery system2. The Mitraclip is delivered to the heart valve by steering it using the long, flexible hydrophilic-coated multi-lumen shafted Catheter CDS. It is radiopaque therefore visible in fluoroscopy for more accurate guidance. The devise is guided through the femoral vein to the mitral valve via a trans-septal puncture2. Once in place the Mitraclip CDS allows for an extremely precise placement of the percutaneously implanted Mitraclip. The Mitraclip clenches the mitral valves and results in a permanent leaflet approximation. The device is fabricated from metal alloys and polyester fabrics that are already used in pre-existing cardiac implants which reduces risk and accelerated the approval timeline. It has multiple advantages such as a large reduction of MR symptoms due to the almost complete formation of double orifice which also leads to the reduction hospitalization for MR heart failure. Its capability for dynamically adaptable left ventricle re-modeling allows it to tackle MR cases of varying severity. Its minimally invasive form coupled with demonstrated positive safety profile make it a prime alternative to