MITRACLIP (Non-Surgical Mitral Valve Insufficiency Repair)

Heart diseases are one of the serious health problems that affect millions of people around the world. In particular, disorders such as mitral valve insufficiency can lead to serious health risks by reducing the quality of life of patients. MitraClipIt offers a revolutionary solution in the treatment of mitral valve insufficiency without the need for open heart surgery. In this article, we will examine in detail how this innovative treatment method works, to whom it can be applied and the advantages it provides.

What is Mitral Valve Insufficiency?

The mitral valve is a structure located between the left atrium and left ventricle of the heart and directs blood flow. Normally, this valve allows blood to flow in one direction. However, the valve’s function may deteriorate due to various reasons, either congenitally or over time, and mitral valve regurgitation can develop.

Symptoms of Mitral Valve Insufficiency

• Shortness of breath
• feeling of palpitations
• Don’t get tired easily
• Swelling in feet and legs
• Cough and fluid accumulation in the lungs

These symptoms indicate that the heart is not working efficiently enough and blood is pooling in the lungs. If left untreated, it can seriously affect the patient’s lifespan and quality.

What is MitraClip and How Does It Work?

MitraClipis a minimally invasive procedure developed to treat mitral valve regurgitation. The mitral valve is reached by entering the vein from the groin, and the valves are held together with the help of a special latch-like device (clip) to reduce insufficiency. This extremely safe method, which is performed without the need for open heart surgery, provides great advantages for patients.

Application Process of MitraClip

1. Evaluation of the patient: It is determined whether the patient is suitable or not by heart ultrasound (Echocardiography) and other tests.
2. Procedure phase: The catheter is entered through the groin and the clip is placed on the area of ​​the mitral valve that cannot close completely.
3. Healing process: The patient is usually discharged within 24-48 hours and can return to normal life.

Who is a Suitable Candidate for MitraClip?

MitraClipIt is an ideal option for most mitral valve regurgitation diseases, especially in patients at high surgical risk and not suitable for open heart surgery. Current scientific evidence is increasing that this procedure can also be an effective method in young and low surgical risk patients.

Suitable Patient Profile for MitraClip

Those with advanced mitral valve insufficiency, experiencing shortness of breath and a significant decrease in quality of life;

• Patients at higher than normal risk for open heart surgery
• Those who are not suitable for surgical intervention due to heart failure or advanced age
• Those suitable for mitral valve structure clip

If you or your relatives have these characteristics, it would be useful to consult a cardiologist to determine the most appropriate treatment method.

Advantages of MitraClip Treatment

In the treatment of mitral valve insufficiency MitraClip, has many advantages.

Advantages	Explanation
Minimally Invasive Method	There is no need for open heart surgery, it is administered through a catheter.
Fast Recovery	Patients are usually discharged within 1-2 days.
Less Risk of Complications	Compared to surgery, the risk of infection, stroke, bleeding and death is lower.
Increase in Quality of Life	There is a significant decrease in complaints resembling heart failure, such as shortness of breath and palpitations.

Especially for individuals in the older age group and with additional diseases MitraCliphas become an important option that increases life expectancy and quality.

Healing Process After MitraClip Procedure

For the treatment of mitral valve insufficiency MitraClip Patients who undergo surgery experience a much faster recovery process compared to open heart surgery.

What Happens in the First 24 Hours?

Until;

• After the procedure, he is usually taken to his room in the ward while he is conscious.
• Blood pressure, heart rhythm and oxygen levels are checked intermittently.
• Within the first 6 hours, the patient begins to eat and get out of bed and walk.
• After 24 hours, he can take a shower and return to his normal life.

Discharge Process

Most patients within 24-48 hours He is discharged and can return to his normal life. However, it is important to regularly use medications prescribed by doctors and adhere to control examinations.

Things to Do During the Healing Process	Things to Avoid
Light exercises should be started	Heavy exercises should be avoided
Salt consumption should be limited	Smoking should not be consumed, alcohol intake should be reduced
Doctor’s check-ups should not be interrupted	Sudden and intense physical activities should be avoided
Blood thinners should be taken regularly	Irregular nutrition and excessively salty foods should be avoided.

From the first day, the feeling of shortness of breath, fatigue and palpitations gradually decrease. Most patients no longer feel these pre-existing complaints.

Comparison of MitraClip and Traditional Open Heart Surgery

MitraClipIt is a minimally invasive method developed as an alternative to surgery in the treatment of mitral valve insufficiency. There are some important differences compared to traditional open heart surgery.

Criterion	MitraClip	Open Heart Surgery
Processing Time	1-3 seconds	4-6 seconds
Length of Hospital Stay	1-2 days	5-7 days
Recovery Time	1-2 days	6-8 weeks
Surgical Incision	None (procedure with catheter)	Rib cage or armpit   by cutting
Anesthesia	Sedation or light general anesthesia	general anesthesia
Risk	Lower risk of complications	Bleeding, infection, paralysis, higher mortality rate and longer recovery period

This table is especially suitable for patients with high surgical risk. MitraClip shows that the method offers great advantages.

Long Term Results After MitraClip

MitraClip Patients who undergo this procedure experience a significant improvement in the long term. Clinical studies show that most patients experience a significant increase in life expectancy and quality after the procedure.

Research on Patients

• More than 80% patientsreported a significant reduction in shortness of breath after the procedure.
• More than 70% patients, lived a more active and mobile life within 6 months after the procedure.
• Mortality (death) ratesis lower than open heart surgery.

These data MitraClipIt shows that it extends the lifespan of patients by preserving heart functions in the long term.

Misconceptions About MitraClip

There is a lot of misinformation about the MitraClip procedure. Here are the most common myths and their truths:

Misinformation	facts
MitraClip is only suitable for young patients.	It can be applied to patients of all ages.
It is not as effective as open heart surgery.	Clinical studies show that it is as effective as or even more effective than open heart surgery in suitable patients.
After the procedure, repeat surgery is required.	The long-term success rate is high and repeat procedures are usually not required.
It takes a very long time to return to normal life after MitraClip is inserted.	Patients usually return to their normal lives within a day.

Rather than shying away from this innovative treatment due to misinformation, it is important to discuss it in detail with a cardiologist.

Frequently Asked Questions About MitraClip

1. Who is MitraClip not suitable for?
   It may not be suitable for patients with severe mitral valve calcification or structural heart anomalies.
2. Is pain felt during the procedure?
   No, it is performed under sedation or light anesthesia, the patient does not feel any pain.
3. How many years does MitraClip last?
   Studies show that this procedure remains effective for many years. Additionally, if a leak develops again from another area of ​​the cover, these can be repaired with the 2nd or even the 3rd clip. In other words, the MitraClip procedure can be safely performed on a patient more than once throughout his or her life.
4. Does this method completely treat valve insufficiency?
   When applied by an experienced center and operator, it often increases life expectancy and quality of life. It completely treats heart failure in some patients, and significantly reduces heart failure in some patients.
5. Can I do sports after MitraClip?
   Light exercises can be started as recommended by the doctor, but excessive physical activities should be avoided in the early period.
6. Do I need to use medication after MitraClip?
   Yes, blood thinners and some heart medications should be used as recommended by the doctor.
7. Can I get pregnant after this procedure?
   They can stay, but it is recommended to consult their doctor before planning a pregnancy.
8. How should nutrition be after MitraClip?
   Most of the time, no special diet is required.
9. Are regular checks necessary after MitraClip?
   Yes, cardiology checks should be continued at regular intervals after the procedure.
10. Does smoking and alcohol use reduce the effect of MitraClip?
    Yes, smoking and excessive alcohol use can negatively affect heart health and reduce the success of the procedure.

Conclusion

MitraClipIt is an effective, safe and minimally invasive treatment method for patients with mitral valve insufficiency. As an alternative to open heart surgeryIt offers patients a faster recovery process and lower risk of complications. If you have been diagnosed with mitral valve insufficiency and surgery is particularly risky for you, consult your doctor. MitraClip You can determine the most suitable treatment method for you by consulting about it.

Thanks to this innovative treatment method, many patients get rid of heart failure symptoms such as shortness of breath and fatigue and step into a healthy life.