How should I treat a challenging case of MitraClip implantation?

A 71-year-old woman affected by idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy with normal coronary arteries and permanent atrial fibrillation was found to have severe mitral regurgitation at transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), due to annular dilatation and restricted motion of the posterior leaflet. Because of poor quality of life, high functional class (NYHA Class III) and the high risk of surgery, the patient agreed to undergo the implantation of a MitraClip device. During the procedure, the transoesophageal echocardiographic (TEE) images were of a poor quality since the view of the mitral valve in the mid-oesophageal and transgastric projections did not accurately show the valve leaflets and the convergence area of the regurgitation at colour Doppler, which is indispensable for the correct positioning of the clip.

Physical examination, transthoracic echocardiography, transoesophageal echocardiography.

Severe mitral regurgitation suitable for MitraClip implantation.

Transthoracic, and not transoesophageal, echocardiography approach during MitraClip procedure.