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Updated: Sep 4, 2025

A Simplified Stepwise Approach to Echo Guidance during Percutaneous Mitral Valve Repair
Published on: October 16, 2021
Mitral valve surgery after failed MitraClip-Operation for the inoperable?
Stephen Gerfer1, Borko Ivanov1, Clara Großmann1
1Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Heart Center, University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
Background:
Percutaneous edge-to-edge mitral valve repair technique (MitraClip) is a widely used treatment for mitral regurgitation (MR) in patients assessed with high surgical risk or inoperability. Only limited experiences with this highest-risk patient population exist. Procedural failure for MitraClip or recurrent MR is a strong predictor of 1-year mortality. Open mitral valve surgery constitutes the last bailout for patients within this cohort.
Methods:
This retrospective single-center cohort study analyzed 17 mitral valve surgery patients after failed MitraClip. We, therefore, analyzed a high-risk patient population (EuroSCORE II = 10 ± 2.0) with persistent mitral valve regurgitation, which was mainly caused by detachment or dislocation of the MitraClip.
Results:
Symptomatic patients with failed MitraClip need a convenient operation (mean time to mitral valve surgery = 23 ± 44 days). The patient's collective showed many complex reoperations with the need for concomitant surgery. Considering the high-risk patient population, we showed an average 30-day all-cause mortality (18%, n = 3) accompanied by typical postoperative complications related to prolonged mechanical ventilation (44 ± 48 h) and ICU stay (11 ± 11 days), reflecting high-risk patients. Further, excellent valve-related outcomes were shown regarding adverse cardiac events (valve-related mortality 6%, n = 1) and postoperative echocardiographic results (moderate or severe paravalvular leak 6%, n = 1).
Conclusion:
Failure of MitraClip represents a challenging situation limited by high-risk profiles of patients and limits the possibility of surgical valve repair, shown by a high rate of mitral valve replacement (94%, n = 16). Secondary surgery was associated with moderate 30-day and postdischarge outcomes. Therefore, a careful evaluation of patients undergoing MitraClip is of paramount importance.
Insights
MitraClip failure in high-risk patients necessitates complex reoperation, often resulting in mitral valve replacement. While outcomes are challenging, careful patient selection for MitraClip is crucial.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Surgery
- Interventional Cardiology
- Heart Valve Disease
Background:
- Percutaneous edge-to-edge mitral valve repair (MitraClip) is a key treatment for mitral regurgitation (MR) in high-risk patients.
- Limited data exists on outcomes for the highest-risk surgical candidates undergoing MitraClip.
- MitraClip failure or recurrent MR predicts poor survival, making reoperation a critical consideration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate outcomes of open mitral valve surgery following MitraClip failure in a high-risk cohort.
- To identify challenges and complications associated with reoperation after MitraClip.
- To emphasize the importance of patient selection for initial MitraClip procedures.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective single-center cohort study of 17 patients undergoing mitral valve surgery after MitraClip failure.
- Analysis of high-risk patients (EuroSCORE II = 10 ± 2.0) with persistent MR due to device detachment or dislocation.
- Assessment of procedural characteristics, mortality, complications, and echocardiographic results.
Main Results:
- Reoperations were complex, often requiring concomitant procedures, with a mean time to surgery of 23 ± 44 days.
- 30-day all-cause mortality was 18% (3/17), with prolonged mechanical ventilation and ICU stay.
- Valve-related mortality was 6% (1/17), and moderate/severe paravalvular leak occurred in 6% (1/17).
Conclusions:
- MitraClip failure in high-risk patients presents a significant challenge, frequently necessitating mitral valve replacement (94%).
- Secondary surgery is associated with moderate 30-day and postdischarge outcomes.
- Meticulous pre-procedural patient evaluation for MitraClip is essential to optimize outcomes and avoid reoperation.
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