Heart Valve Obstruction Resolved Without Surgery

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:
A 75-year-old man with a high risk damaged heart valve was successfully treated using a non-invasive procedure called mitra clip at KIMSHEALTH. An echo examination conducted by the expert medical team led to the detection of a leak in one of the heart valves. Mitral regurgitation is a condition in which the mitral valve on the left side of the heart does not close properly. This can result in the backflow of blood into the left atrium of the heart, leading to heart failure, and pulmonary congestion.

Normally, in such cases, open heart surgery is preferred to fix the defective valve with a metallic or tissue valve. However, considering the age and previous heart ailments of the patient, the minimally invasive method, Mitra clip was chosen instead, said Dr. Praveen S.V., Consultant, Cardiology Department. He added that the Mitra clip was the most apt option for the patient and he was able to safely fix the valve defect without further complications. The ‘Mitra clip’ method involves inserting a tube through the vein in the groin area, and guiding it to the heart, thereby attaching a clip to the leaking valve. Dr. S. Subash, consultant Anesthesia was also part of the procedure.

A state-of-the-art imaging system was used to complete the procedure. Short hospital stays and quick recovery are the benefits of this method. This treatment, which was previously only available in developed countries, was only introduced in India recently. This is the second time in Kerala and the first time in South Kerala that the ‘Mitra clip’ method has been used to fix heart valve defects.