Home > Adam's Blog > Mitral Valve Repair > “Am I A Candidate For The MitraClip Procedure?” Asks Kate

“Am I A Candidate For The MitraClip Procedure?” Asks Kate

By Adam Pick on July 17, 2013

I just received a great question from Kate about mitral valve prolapse, severe regurgitation and the MitraClip.

In her email, Kate writes to me, “Hi Adam – I am a 33-year old, single mother of two, recently diagnosed with mitral valve prolapse and moderate to severe mitral regurgitation (MR). I am exploring my options and was wondering if you could tell me which hospitals perform the MitraClip surgery? Also, how would I get evaluated to see if I am a potential candidate for this procedure?”

MitraClip Device

As you may know, the MitraClip is a catheter-based technology that “clips” the two mitral leaflets together to reduce regurgitation. It should be noted that the FDA has not approved the MitraClip in the USA — although, it recently received an FDA panel approval vote of 5-3, which is a good sign.

To answer Kate’s question, I contacted Dr. Steven Bolling, who is a leading mitral valve surgeon and Director of the Mitral Valve Program at The Cardiovascular Center at the University of Michigan. In response to Kate’s question, Dr. Bolling noted:

Dr. Steven Bolling - Cardiac Surgeon

“The MitraClip is not indicated for Kate at all. It is now used only in a trial for high-risk functional MR. The one thing that a recent clinical trial (known as the Everest study) showed was that patients, like Kate, must have a surgical mitral valve repair at a center that will have a good, long-lasting 99% repair rate ( eally 100%!). She will be “cured” this way. Any other therapy will take her off the best outcome curve. Thanks, Steve”

I hope this helped Kate (and perhaps you) learn more about the MitraClip and its potential use for patients. Many thanks to Kate for her question and a special thanks to Steven Bolling, MD for his continued support of our community!

To learn more about Dr. Bolling, click here.

Keep on tickin!
Adam

Written by Adam Pick
- Patient & Website Founder

Written by Adam Pick - Patient & Website Founder

Adam Pick is a heart valve patient and author of The Patient's Guide To Heart Valve Surgery. In 2006, Adam founded HeartValveSurgery.com to educate and empower patients. This award-winning website has helped over 10 million people fight heart valve disease. Adam has been featured by the American Heart Association and Medical News Today.

Adeline Coleman says on July 17th, 2013 at 5:58 pm

Hello Adam,
My brother who is 57 had Valve repair 5 weeks ago. He seemed in good health but passed out twice and found out he needed a Pacemaker. After having more testing done they found that he need Valve repair. I have enjoyed reading your blog,as i am so worried about him. He seems to be so tired, having a hard time breathing, I am just wondering if this is normal? I also read that therapy is very helpful, but the doctor didn’t prescribe it for him. I feel he needs it to get stronger and to help him mentally.he is a very hard worker, and now he feels like he will never be back to normal. I have never been through this so i don’t if this is a normal feeling after this type of surgery. i feel like everytime i visit he seems so down. Thank-you for any info!
Thank-you,
Adeline Coleman

WENDORLYN DUNCAN says on July 18th, 2013 at 11:01 pm

I AM A 57 YEAR OLD WOMAN,THAT HAS MITRAL VALVE PROPLASE SINCE I WAS BORN. I WAS SUPPOSE TO HAVE SURGERY TO REPAIR IT.BUT MY MOTHER DIDN’T HAVE IT DONE, I EVEN HAVE A HOLE IN MY HEART ALSO. I HAVE PASS OUT SEVERAL TIMES IIN MY LIFE AND BEEN IN THE HOSPITAL FOR MY CONDITION WITH MY HEART. YES I AM ON MEDICATION.I AM WONDERING IF I AM A CANDIDATE FOR THIS PROCEDURE.

Al says on September 30th, 2013 at 12:19 pm

Be careful with the hole in heart. Get it fixed. A couple of the people in my stroke group have had strokes because of heart holes.

joseph verzino says on July 25th, 2014 at 12:37 am

Can I have Mitral Valve repair if I have a pacemaker?
I like the Mitraclip because the heart is not stopped.