Effect of percutaneous mitral repair with the MitraClip® device on mitral valve area and gradient

Aims: Percutaneous repair of mitral regurgitation (MR) by leaflet apposition using a clip deployed via transseptal catheterisation is undergoing evaluation. Methods and results: In order to detect the potential for clinically significant left ventricular inflow obstruction after percutaneous repair, we measured mitral valve area (MVA) and mean transmitral gradient (MVG) echocardiographically in 96 patients implanted with a clip followed for up to 24 months. By planimetry, the mean MVA decreased from 6.0 +/- 1.3 cm(2) to 3.6 +/- 1.2 cm(2) (p<0.05) (range 1.9 to 7.6 cm(2)) after clip placement, and remained unchanged after 24 months of follow-up (3.5 +/- 0.8 cm(2)). The mean MVG increased after clip placement from 1.7 +/- 0.9 mmHg to 4.1 +/- 2.2 mmHg (p<0.05), and did not increase further to 24 months (3.8 +/- 1.9 mmHg). There were no differences in MVA or MVG between patients who received 1-clip (69%) and those receiving 2-clips (31%). Patients with functional MR (23%) had a slightly smaller MVA, both at baseline and after clip placement, but did not differ from degenerative MR patients at later follow-up. After 2 years of follow-up, no patient required surgery for LV inflow obstruction. Conclusions: Mitral repair with the MitraClip (R) device for MR decreases MVA without significant mitral obstruction. After 2 years of follow-up, no patient required surgery for LV inflow obstruction, and these results were not influenced by the use of more than 1 clip or the aetiology of MR.