Mitral Valve Clip

What is a Mitral Valve Clip procedure?

A MitraClip is the device used to repair the mitral valve and restore normal flow through your heart to help avoid heart failure.

It is a small clip about the size of a large staple and once in place, it minimises the leak that’s there, which is also known as regurgitation. 

The clip is implanted via a catheter that gets guided to your heart through a vein in your leg.

What will happen before, during and after my procedure?

The procedure is performed under general anaesthesia in a procedure room called a catheter lab and oxygen will help you breathe while in a deep sleep. 

Your doctor will use equipment to visualise your heart and guide the clip where it needs to go. 

The clip will be tested once it’s inserted to check the leak has been reduced before it is secured, and the catheter is removed. 

You should start to experience improvement in your symptoms shortly after your procedure. 

Our healthcare team will closely monitor you while you are in hospital. Your doctor will do some tests to check the function of your heart and may prescribe you some take-home medication.

How long does the procedure take?

It is a minimally invasive procedure that takes between one and three hours.

How long will I be at the clinic?

You’ll likely be monitored for a few days before your doctor will check you are well to go home with prescribed medication. Your doctor will discuss your expected stay with you, based on your specific situation and needs.

How do I prepare for a Mitral Valve Clip procedure?

Provide informed consent

Your doctor will explain your procedure to you and answer any questions you may have. You will then be asked to sign a consent form. 

You will find a copy of the consent form below. Please download and read this document in advance of your visit. Your doctor will discuss this with you on your arrival if they have not already done so.

MITRAL VALVE CLIP PROCEDURE CONSENT

Download Form
If you have any questions or concerns or require any additional information about your procedure in advance of your visit, please let your doctor know. If you have access to a printer, then print your consent form and bring it with you on the day of your procedure. Otherwise, we will provide you with a copy on the day to sign with your doctor. If you have already signed the consent in your doctor’s rooms, then please disregard this instruction.

Contact us the day before your procedure

Please ring us between 12 noon and 3pm on the day before your procedure [tel: 02 9382 0700] to confirm your time of arrival, fasting and medication instructions. Please ring on a Friday if your procedure is on a Monday. If you have any special needs (these are outlined in the Before my visit patient guide) please let us know one week in advance of your visit).

Fasting

All patients attending Eastern Heart Clinic are fasted prior to their procedure. Please follow the fasting instructions that are given to you when you ring us the day prior to your procedure. 

Instructions:

  • All patients must cease solid food six hours before their admission time
  • All patients must cease clear fluids two hours before their admission time (note: clear fluids are NOT cloudy or milky drinks)
  • From two hours before your admission – nil by mouth

For example, if your admission time is 7:00 am (please tailor this to your admission time)

  •   You can eat food up until 1:00 am
  •   You can have clear fluids (water, black tea/coffee, clear juice etc) up until 5:00 am

We will confirm the time of your procedure and when you need to start fasting when you call the clinic the day before your procedure (please refer to our detailed instructions in the Before my visit patient guide).

Medications

Patients prescribed Warfarin

If you take the medication Warfarin you will need to consult with your referring cardiologist who will advise you if you need to stop taking your Warfarin three days before your procedure. Your cardiologist may also advise that you need to take a substitute anticoagulant (blood thinner). It is very important that you do not stop taking your Warfarin until you have discussed this with your cardiologist.

Patients prescribed Lasix

On the day of your procedure:

If your procedure is scheduled for before 12:00 pm: Withhold your Lasix and bring in your tablets so staff can give them to you after your procedure.

If your procedure is scheduled for after 12:00 pm: you may take your Lasix.

Patients with diabetes        

If you are prescribed insulin we suggest you take half your regular insulin dose on the day of your procedure. Remind the booking staff that you are on insulin and we will attempt to schedule your procedure as early as possible.

Insulin dependent (IDDM):  You should take half (½) of your regular insulin dose (please bring in insulin)

Non-insulin dependent (NIDDM) – tablet controlled: You should continue your medication as normal

Non-insulin dependent (NIDDM) – diet controlled: Fast as per the instructions above

Other medications

Oral Sodium Glucose Inhibitors

If you take any of the following medication – Forxiga, Xigduo, Qtern, Jardiance, Jardiamet, Glyxambi, Steglatro, Segluromet, Steglujan – please contact Eastern Heart Clinic for instructions prior to your procedure.

Aspirin, Plavix, Prasugrel, Ticagrelor, Pradaxa, Apixaban, Rivaroxaban

Your cardiologist will provide advice regarding if and when to stop other medication. All other medications include Aspirin, Plavix, Prasugrel, Ticagrelor, Pradaxa, Apixaban, Rivaroxaban. 

We will discuss your medications with you when you call the clinic the day before your procedure (please refer to our detailed instructions in the Before my visit patient guide).

Skin and nails

There are no special requirements before your procedure in terms of skin care, so just shower or bath as usual. However, do not wear nail polish to your appointment.

What to bring

Please bring your current medications as well as any blood results. Please read our patient guide Before my visit for other items to bring with you on the day, and for how to prepare for your procedure.

Can I drive (or fly) afterwards?

Always check with your doctor about any travel or strenuous activity. It’s usually advised that you don’t drive for several weeks. You should also check about any lengthy car trips during the first month after the procedure.

What do I need to do after discharge?

Our healthcare team will give you follow up care instructions and your doctor will see you for follow up visits.

You will need to limit strenuous physical activity and contact your medical team if you experience any issues or side effects from medications.

What if I have questions or concerns?

Make sure you discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor or, while you are in hospital, with your healthcare team. You can always get in touch with us once you’re discharged if you forget anything or discuss these during your follow up appointments.