Our Summary

This research paper discusses the first instance of a new procedure to fix a leaky heart valve, specifically the mitral valve, using a new device called the DragonFly™. The patient in this case had a severe form of mitral regurgitation - a condition where the heart’s mitral valve doesn’t close tightly, allowing blood to flow back into the heart - which was caused by a disease affecting the upper chambers of the heart. This patient had suffered numerous heart failure events and was not a suitable candidate for heart surgery because of lung problems and being overweight. The DragonFly™ device was used to repair the mitral valve without the need for invasive surgery.

FAQs

  1. What is the DragonFly™ device used for in mitral valve repair?
  2. Who might be a suitable candidate for a transcatheter mitral valve repair using the DragonFly™ device?
  3. What conditions might make a patient unsuitable for traditional mitral valve surgery?

Doctor’s Tip

One helpful tip a doctor might tell a patient about mitral valve repair is to follow a healthy lifestyle, including maintaining a balanced diet, staying active, and avoiding smoking, to optimize the success of the procedure and promote overall heart health. Additionally, it is important for patients to attend regular follow-up appointments with their healthcare team to monitor their progress and make any necessary adjustments to their treatment plan.

Suitable For

Patients who are typically recommended for mitral valve repair are those with severe mitral regurgitation, symptomatic patients, patients with annular dilation, and patients who are not suitable for surgery due to other comorbidities such as pulmonary dysfunction and obesity.

Timeline

Before Mitral Valve Repair:

  1. Patient experiences symptoms of severe, symptomatic mitral regurgitation, such as shortness of breath, fatigue, and heart failure events.
  2. Patient undergoes diagnostic tests, such as echocardiograms and cardiac catheterization, to determine the severity and cause of the mitral regurgitation.
  3. Patient is deemed unsuitable for traditional surgical mitral valve repair due to comorbidities such as pulmonary dysfunction and obesity.

After Mitral Valve Repair:

  1. Patient is evaluated for transcatheter mitral valve repair as a minimally invasive alternative to surgery.
  2. Patient undergoes transcatheter mitral valve repair with the DragonFly™ device, a novel edge-to-edge mitral regurgitation repair device.
  3. Patient experiences improvements in symptoms and quality of life post-procedure, with reduced mitral regurgitation and improved heart function.
  4. Patient is monitored closely for any complications or recurring symptoms in the weeks and months following the procedure.

What to Ask Your Doctor

  1. What is the success rate of mitral valve repair with the DragonFly™ device?
  2. What are the potential risks and complications associated with this procedure?
  3. How long is the recovery time after undergoing transcatheter mitral valve repair?
  4. Will I still need to take medication for my mitral regurgitation after the procedure?
  5. How long can I expect the repaired mitral valve to last before needing further intervention?
  6. Will I need to make any lifestyle changes or follow a special diet after the procedure?
  7. Are there any restrictions on physical activity or exercise following transcatheter mitral valve repair?
  8. What follow-up appointments or tests will be necessary to monitor the success of the procedure?
  9. How soon after the procedure can I expect to see an improvement in my symptoms of mitral regurgitation?
  10. Are there any alternative treatment options for my mitral regurgitation that I should consider?

Reference

Authors: Liu X, Chen Y, Lim DS, Wang J. Journal: Catheter Cardiovasc Interv. 2022 Apr;99(5):1691-1695. doi: 10.1002/ccd.30112. Epub 2022 Feb 16. PMID: 35476284