Surgical revision of failed percutaneous edge-to-edge mitral valve repair: lessons learned

Although percutaneous edge-to-edge mitral valve repair with the MitraClip system is becoming widely adopted in clinical practice, surgical experience on how to correct failed MitraClip therapy is limited. We aimed to analyse the surgical and pathological outcomes after surgical revision of the failed MitraClip therapy.

Between January 2011 and January 2018, 25 patients (age 73 ± 9 years; men 48%; New York Heart Association class 3.4 ± 0.49) were admitted for severe mitral regurgitation at a median of 54 days (range 1-1496 days) after MitraClip edge-to-edge repair. Perioperative variables were analysed for their association with surgical outcomes.

All patients underwent explantation of the MitraClip system and subsequent mitral valve replacement. Perioperative mortality was as high as 28%, mainly due to pre-existing cardiogenic or septic shock. The Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed a 53% overall 1-year survival. Among preoperative variables, the logistic European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation score, left ventricular ejection fraction and liver dysfunction had a significant influence on in-hospital survival. Intraoperatively, the predominant pathology included mitral valve leaflet damage due to tear, degeneration or infection. Although leaflet tears or MitraClip detachment mainly occurred within the first 6 months after MitraClip therapy, leaflet infections and degeneration mainly occurred later during follow-up.

The surgical revision of failed MitraClip therapy is feasible but has high perioperative mortality, especially among patients with cardiogenic shock, septic shock or liver failure. Mitral regurgitation after the MitraClip therapy is mainly caused by mitral valve leaflet damage due to tear, degeneration or infection, all related to the MitraClip itself.