1. What is the Mitral Valve and why would an intervention be performed?

 The Mitral Valve is located between the chambers on the left side of the heart and its job is to control blood flow between these chambers.

There are two main reasons why an intervention on the Mitral Valve may need to be performed;

• Stenosis – a narrowing of this valve
• Regurgitation – leakage of the valve

There are two different types of mitral value interventions that can be performed;

• Mitral Valve Repair, and
• Mitral Valve Replacement

These procedures can be performed by a Cardiac surgeon, through open heart surgery, or by an Interventional Cardiologist where a minimally invasive surgical approach is used via a vein, with the procedures undertaken in a Cardiac Catheter Laboratory.

The type of procedure undertaken depends on the severity of the disease.

2. What are the symptoms of a Mitral Valve defect which may indicate the need for a surgical repair?

These symptoms may include but are not limited to;

1. Fatigue
2. Shortness of breath during any form of exertion or whilst lying flat
3. Heart palpitations and/or chest pain
4. Swelling

3. What is a Mitral Valve Clip repair procedure?

When a Mitral Valve repair or replacement is performed by an Interventional Cardiologist this will involve a minimally invasive approach whereby a thin and flexible tube, known as a catheter, is inserted into the vein and guided to the mitral valve in the heart. 

One of the procedures performed via this approach is a mitral valve clip repair, whereby the catheter deploys a clip to your damaged mitral valve to close the leaky area of the valve without the need for open-heart surgery.

This procedure is performed under general anaesthetic and usually takes around 2 to 4 hours.

A small metal clip, about the size of a large staple, is attached to your mitral valve via a vein in your leg. The clip stays there permanently and helps your valve to function properly again.