The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the catheter-based MitraClip® device developed by Abbott Laboratories for patients too frail to undergo surgery to fix a leaky heart valve. Mitral valve regurgitation occurs when the two leaflets of the heart’s mitral valve do not close properly, causing a backward flow of blood in the heart. During the nonsurgical, catheter-based MitraClip procedure, an interventional cardiologist attaches a clip to the leaflets of the mitral valve, enabling the valve to open and close correctly.
Saibal Kar, MD, director of Cardiovascular Intervention Center Research in the Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute, has performed more MitraClip procedures than any other U.S. physician. Kar, a board-certified interventional cardiologist, is available to explain how the minimally invasive procedure is done and which patients could benefit from the device. “Heart valves naturally wear out as we age,” Kar said, “and as we age, we face higher risk from open-heart surgery. Catheter-based, minimally invasive heart procedures are a way we can add years to life and life to years.” Mitral regurgitation is a debilitating, progressive and life-threatening disease in which a leaky mitral valve causes a backward flow of blood in the heart. The condition can raise the risk of irregular heartbeats, stroke and heart failure. Mitral regurgitation affects more than 4 million in the United States. Open-heart mitral valve surgery is the standard-of-care treatment, but many patients are at prohibitive risk for an invasive procedure. Medications for mitral regurgitation manage symptoms but do not stop the progression of the disease.When: MitraClip procedures are being scheduled now at the Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute. The Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute is internationally recognized for outstanding heart care built on decades of innovation and leading-edge research. From cardiac imaging and advanced diagnostics to surgical repair of complex heart problems to the training of the heart specialists of tomorrow and research that is deepening medical knowledge and practice, the Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute is known around the world for excellence and innovations.
To arrange an interview with Kar, contact Sally Stewart at 310-248-6566 or [email protected]
Disclosure: Dr. Kar receives compensation from Abbott Laboratories for teaching clinicians how to implant the MitraClip device.