TMVR
TMVR
The mitral or bicuspid valve is one of the four heart valves that help transfer blood from the upper chamber of the heart (left atrium) to the lower heart chamber (left ventricle).
The mitral valve acts as a pipeline or flaps that opens and closes as blood flows through the left atrium to the left ventricle of the heart.
If any issue arises in the mitral valve and it doesn’t function properly, there can be a backflow, restriction, or accumulation of blood.
The most common mitral valve disease is mitral regurgitation, in which blood flows backwards to the left atrium because of leaky valves.
Mitral stenosis is another common valve disorder that narrows the opening of the mitral valve.
The narrowing causes the orifice of the valve to become smaller than normal, restricting blood flow from the left atrium to the left ventricle. Therefore, the heart has to work harder to pump blood.
Transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR) is a procedure that replaces a mitral valve that isn’t functioning properly without requiring an open heart surgery.
It is a minimally invasive technique that uses a thin, hollow tube called a catheter to replace the diseased mitral valve.
FAQs
Why is a transcatheter mitral valve replacement procedure needed?
There are several patients with severe mitral valve disease, like mitral valve regurgitation or mitral stenosis. However, they don’t have the option for open heart surgery because of certain risks, like advanced age, poor health condition, or history of chronic diseases.
Transcatheter mitral valve replacement can be an alternative treatment option for such patients as it does not involve open heart surgery.
What is the procedure for transcatheter mitral valve replacement?
The general procedure of transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR) includes:
- The doctor admits the patient to the hospital one day before the procedure.
- An incision (cut) is made in the patient's leg (groin).
- A clip is attached to a catheter (small, hollow tube) with an expandable balloon attached to the catheter tip.
- The cardiologist inserts the catheter through the incision, which is guided to the patient's heart using X-ray pictures.
- The clip is released from the catheter and travels to the atrium.
- The arms of the clips open and attach to the flaps of the leaky mitral valve to clip the leaflets of the valve together in the center and prevent the backflow of blood.
- The catheter is taken out through the incision, and the clips remain in place.
- The doctor closes the incision with stitches, and the patient may be shifted to the ICU to monitor the health condition and heart functioning closely
- The patient is usually discharged after one or two days of the procedure, depending on their health condition and recovery.
- The doctor may prescribe some medications and recommend a few precautions to the patient after the procedure.