MitraClip Mitral Valve Repair

We’re one of the only heart programs in North Florida and South Georgia offering minimally invasive mitral valve repair to treat mitral regurgitation (MR). Using a device called MitraClip, our Structural Heart Team fixes leaky heart valves without ever having to open your chest.

What is Mitral Regurgitation?

Mitral regurgitation, or MR, is a condition in which the leaflets (think of these like doors) in your heart’s mitral valve do not close tightly. This causes blood to flow backward, or leak, making your heart work harder to push blood in the right direction through your body. It's almost like having a leaky pipe in your heart.

Symptoms of MR can include:

• Fatigue, exhaustion and light-headedness
• Shortness of breath that increases with activity and eventually when laying down
• A feeling of heaviness on the chest when laying down
• Excessive urination at night 
• Swelling in the legs 

If left untreated, MR can cause lots of stress on your heart, repeated heart failure episodes, severe shortness of breath, frequent hospital stays and ultimately death. Repairing the leak can change the course of the disease and increase your overall quality of life. 

What is MitraClip?

MitraClip is a small, clip-like device we use to perform mitral valve repairs. Our Structural Heart Team places the device using a catheter inserted into a tiny incision, usually in your groin. Once in place, the device acts like a clip, bringing the separated leaflets of your mitral valve back together and stopping the backflow of blood, or regurgitation. Patients often feel relief of symptoms immediately following the procedure, especially shortness of breath.

Who is Eligible?

If you meet the following criteria, you may be a candidate for mitral valve repair using MitraClip. Be sure to discuss this option with your primary care provider.

• You have MR caused by a structural defect in your heart.
• You are experiencing symptoms related to your MR.
• You are too high risk for surgery.

How to Get a Referral

To determine if MitraClip is the right fit for you, we'd first like to see you in our Valve Clinic at TMH Physician Partners, Services by Southern Medical Group. You’ll need a referral to the clinic from your primary care provider or cardiologist.

For more information or if you have any questions at all, please contact our Valve Clinic Coordinator at 850-431-7397, Monday through Friday, between 7:30 am and 4 pm.