What’s 20 years old, is a world-first in cardiac health, and has helped more than 200,000 people around the world?
MitraClip, our transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) device, offers a minimally invasive mitral valve repair option for people with symptomatic leaky mitral valves — and it gives them a new lease on life. This life-changing technology is here when they need it most, particularly in cases of mitral regurgitation (MR). It's as serious as it sounds: if the left heart chambers’ mitral valve fails to fully close, blood can leak backwards. If not enough blood moves in the correct direction, that can lead to the heart and body not receiving the right amount of blood needed to keep up with everyday life.
In celebration of 20 years of MitraClip, we asked 20 patients to tell us about their lives. Check out what they’ve been able to do with the support of MitraClip.
Stay active.
Scott C., Las Vegas, Nev., U.S.
“Before the failure of my mitral valve and resulting severe incapacitation, I had always been a very physically active, outdoors- and wilderness-oriented person. I basically never thought about, nor was seemingly limited by, my known but mild heart murmur in any way. Since I received my ‘life-granting’ MitraClip, with enduring progression I am now out and very actively running and hiking on the trail once again as a happy 68-year-old, and with basically zero concern for my heart function. It may perhaps actually be better than it ever was before. What a joy and a blessing!”
Barletta H., Marina del Rey, Calif., U.S.
“18 years ago I was enrolled in one of the first MitraClip clinical trials. I am eternally grateful for this because it gave me my active life back – climbing up stairs, going running in the mornings, and my love of traveling the world.”
Eddie S., Scottsdale, Ariz., U.S.
“I have always been very active in my life playing full-court basketball until I was 75 and golfing into my 80s. But if you saw me the day before I received MitraClip, I felt so bad that I could not even take the trash out. However, the morning after the implant, I was able to walk around the hospital twice without breathing hard. I felt 100 percent better — it was like a miracle.”
Ruurd T., Netherlands
“I am happy with the outcome. I felt much fitter after the procedure than before. Within a week I picked up my own groceries and worked in the garden. After five weeks I was back on the tennis court.”
Enjoy the little things in life.
Akhil B., Jaipur, India
“I feel like I have got a second life. I now have plans to travel, like my wife and I always wanted to do. I will try to fulfill all her dreams. I wish I could have gotten this treatment earlier. I would not have suffered for the last 6-8 months.”
Ceilia C., London, England
“To put it simply, it saved my life. During an angiogram to fit a stent following a heart attack, aged 52, I suffered a latrogenic type A aortic dissection. Because of the extensive damage caused to my heart, I had to have open-heart surgery, including a replacement aortic valve. I spent 2 months in an induced coma, including two weeks on an ECMO machine, whilst my heart tried to recover. The team looking after me were struggling to get the left side of my heart working properly. It was finally, only after I received the MitraClip device, that my heart function started steadily improving. In all, I spent six months in hospital and now, eight years on, I know I would definitely not be here today without it. Thanks to MitraClip, I can live my life and enjoy my retirement by gardening, spending time with my family and travelling with my husband. Next stop: Thailand and Singapore.”
Maimoon J., Selangor, Malaysia
“Ever since I had undergone the MitraClip procedure, I had been spending my precious time with my beloved family and friends outside of the hospital. Thank God, I was never hospitalized after the procedure — unlike before, where I would be spending at least one week in the hospital every month for heart failure. It has been almost a year to the day of my MitraClip procedure, and life has been great. I feel much better now. I can continue doing all those activities that I enjoy doing. I can travel overseas and spend precious and quality time with my loved ones, family and friends. MitraClip is a real life-changing breakthrough for mitral valve patients! Thank you very much from the bottom of my heart for giving me this precious opportunity!”
Carol P., San Jose, Calif., U.S.
“If it wasn’t for the MitraClip, I wouldn’t be vacationing here in the beautiful city of San Francisco enjoying the famous clam chowder in a sourdough bowl!”
Erica V., Veenendaal, the Netherlands
“The MitraClip made me live my life. I could walk again, and I am still grateful for that every day. Carpe Diem.”
Feel like a new person.
Ram B., Chennai, India
“What all can a little clip do!?! It’s amazing. I can sleep now; for the first time in 10 months, I can finally sleep. My creatinine has come down. My memory has improved. My foot has less swelling now. My love for life has gone up. I now want to travel and do all the things I couldn’t before.”
Carolyn C., Edgefield, S.C., U.S.
“The MitraClip gave me a second lease on life and helped me find a second love. I just got married and I couldn’t be happier.”
Jennifer C., Virginia Beach, Va., U.S.
“It saved my life. I had been a shell of myself. The product is phenomenal! I have been rocking and rolling since I’ve been able to walk and drive. Getting my life back has been a pure joy.”
Ellen H., Emerald, Queensland, Australia
“It (my condition) was very debilitating. I spent most of my time in the lounge chair feeling depressed because I couldn’t help with the housework, or much at all. Once I had MitraClip, I was like a new person. I think it’s a marvelous thing.”
Garry L., Pagosa Springs, Colo., U.S.
“I’ve been volunteering in the kindergarten and first grade at the local elementary school for 18 years. It’s kept me young, young at heart and humble. I thought I may have to give it up, but after this procedure, I think I may go another 10 years.”
Breathe again.
Ng A., Singapore
“Before I had this clip, I was so breathless whenever I ate, showered or walked. I could not go about my daily activities without struggling. I had to keep panting for breath, and this caused me much fatigue, shortness of breath and suffering. After consultation with my doctor, we were very grateful that he offered the MitraClip procedure, which my family has no regrets over. It was less invasive compared to an open-heart surgery, and I didn't go through any pain or suffering during or after the procedure. I recovered well, and within a month I was able to lead my normal lifestyle. I can even do housework and go shopping with the family. At my age, I always worry about the risks of invasive surgery. Undergoing the MitraClip (procedure) helped improve my heart condition with minimal risks.”
Michael B., Melbourne, Australia
“After spending 14 weeks in hospital following a heart attack, my heart was still leaking blood into my lungs, and I was breathless after even the mildest of exertions. As soon as I woke up following the procedure I felt better, and I went home three days later! It has given me a new lease on life, and I’m doing things that I always did — and more, even.”
Alba C., Valledupar, Colombia
“I am a patient who experienced two heart attacks. After those, I began to suffer from mitral valve regurgitation. I was drowning, I lived without strength, I could not walk, I was without breath. I also lived in the ICU for a long time. But since I had the procedure, I have felt a new life. Prior to the procedure, I felt very nervous, but I had the courage to go in there. The procedure was quick, I did not feel it. From that moment on, I have felt a great improvement, because I can now talk, I can now raise my arms, I can sleep — because I did not sleep, I had liquid problems in my lungs. I'm pretty good now, thank God, who has given me a little more life.”
Alessandro C., Bergamo, Italy
“I remember that I started to feel well. I felt that my breathing was good. And afterwards I started to think that my life had begun again. I am very happy. I began to dig with a spade. Not too much. And to cut the grass with a scythe. The work that I did before.”
Virginia N., Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
“I feel very blessed. It has given me life, because the way that the leakage was getting steadily worse, when the doctor finally got in to do the procedure, she said in a few weeks it would have become congestive heart failure. I was getting so short of breath I couldn’t talk while walking. It has provided a better quality of life. I’m so grateful that there’s something other than open-heart surgery.”
Paul S., Newtown, Pa., U.S.
“Last year, I had significant problems with fluid in my lungs. I had a catheter in my lung so that it could be drained regularly. My cardiologist recommended a MitraClip to try and improve the ejection fraction in my heart to ultimately help alleviate my lung problems. After six weeks with the MitraClip, I had the lung catheter removed and haven’t had an issue with fluid buildup in my lungs since. I am grateful to be able to go about normal daily activities without being breathless. That is all down to the proper functioning of the clip.”
We’re continuing to revolutionize cardiovascular technology, and we’re honored to be part of people’s lives as they get their new lease on life.
These materials are not intended to replace your doctor's advice or information. For any questions or concerns you may have regarding the medical procedures, devices and/or your personal health, please discuss these with your physician.
These testimonials relay accounts of each individual's response to the treatment. These patient accounts are genuine, typical and documented. However, they do not provide any indication, guide, warranty or guarantee as to the response other persons may have to the treatment. Responses to the treatment discussed can and do vary and are specific to the individual patient
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
MITRCLIP DELIVERY SYSTEMS
Rx Only
INDICATION FOR USE
The MitraClip™ G4 System is indicated for the percutaneous reduction of significant symptomatic mitral regurgitation (MR ≥ 3+) due to primary abnormality of the mitral apparatus [degenerative MR] in patients who have been determined to be at prohibitive risk for mitral valve surgery by a heart team, which includes a cardiac surgeon experienced in mitral valve surgery and a cardiologist experienced in mitral valve disease, and in whom existing comorbidities would not preclude the expected benefit from reduction of the mitral regurgitation.
The MitraClip™ G4 System, when used with maximally tolerated guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT), is indicated for the treatment of symptomatic, moderate-to-severe or severe secondary (or functional) mitral regurgitation (MR; MR ≥ Grade III per American Society of Echocardiography criteria) in patients with a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≥ 20% and ≤ 50%, and a left ventricular end systolic dimension (LVESD) ≤ 70 mm whose symptoms and MR severity persist despite maximally tolerated GDMT as determined by a multidisciplinary heart team experienced in the evaluation and treatment of heart failure and mitral valve disease.
CONTRAINDICATIONS
The MitraClip G4 System is contraindicated in patients with the following conditions: Patients who cannot tolerate, including allergy or hypersensitivity to, procedural anticoagulation or post procedural anti-platelet regime; Patients with known hypersensitivity to clip components (nickel / titanium, cobalt, chromium, polyester), or with contrast sensitivity; Active endocarditis of the mitral valve; Rheumatic mitral valve disease; Evidence of intracardiac, inferior vena cava (IVC) or femoral venous thrombus
POTENTIAL COMPLICATIONS AND ADVERSE EVENTS
The following ANTICIPATED EVENTS have been identified as possible complications of the MitraClip G4 procedure: Allergic reactions or hypersensitivity to latex, contrast agent, anaesthesia, device materials (nickel / titanium, cobalt, chromium, polyester), and drug reactions to anticoagulation, or antiplatelet drugs, Vascular access complications which may require transfusion or vessel repair including: wound dehiscence, catheter site reactions, Bleeding (including ecchymosis, oozing, hematoma, hemorrhage, retroperitoneal hemorrhage), Arteriovenous fistula, pseudoaneurysm, aneurysm, dissection, perforation / rupture, vascular occlusion, Emboli (air thrombotic material, implant, device component); Peripheral Nerve Injury; Lymphatic complications; Pericardial complications which may require additional intervention, including: Pericardial effuse on, Cardiac tamponade, Pericarditis; Cardiac complications which may require additional interventions or emergency cardiac surgery, including: Cardiac perforation, Atrial septal defect; Mitral valve complications, which may complicate or prevent later surgical repair, including: Chordal entanglement / rupture, Single Leaflet Device Attachment (SLDA), Thrombosis, Dislodgement of previously implanted devices, Tissue damage, Mitral valve stenosis, Persistent or residual mitral regurgitation, Endocarditis; Cardiac arrhythmias (including conduction disorders, atrial arrhythmias, ventricular arrhythmias); Cardiac ischemic conditions (including myocardial infarction, myocardial ischemia, and unstable / stable angina); Venous thromboembolism (including deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, post procedure pulmonary embolism); Stroke / Cerebrovascular accident (CVA) and Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA); System organ failure: Cardio-respiratory arrest, Worsening heart failure, Pulmonary congestion, Respiratory dysfunction / failure / atelectasis, Renal insufficiency or failure, Shock (including cardiogenic and anaphylactic); Blood cell disorders (including coagulopathy, hemolysis, and Heparin Induced Thrombocytopenia (HIT)); Hypotension / hypertension; Infection including: Urinary Tract Infection (UTI), Pneumonia, Septicemia; Nausea / vomiting; Chest pain; Dyspnea; Edema; Fever or hyperthermia; Pain; Death; Fluoroscopy, Transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) and Transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) -related complications: Skin injury or tissue changes due to exposure to ionizing radiation, Esophageal irritation; Esophageal perforation, Gastrointestinal bleeding.
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