Residual mitral valve regurgitation after percutaneous mitral valve repair with the MitraClip® system is a risk factor for adverse one-year outcome.

OBJECTIVES: We undertook this study to investigate the mid-term clinical results after MitraClip® implantation and the impact of post-repair mitral valve (MV) function and anatomy on survival and outcome composite endpoint in high-risk patients.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous MV repair is a potential treatment option for high-risk patients with severe mitral regurgitation (MR).

METHODS: MitraClip® was implanted in patients with symptomatic MR rejected to conventional surgery. Differences between patients that survived at follow-up and patients deceased were tested. A stepwise Cox multivariate analysis was performed to identify independent predictors for composite endpoint of mortality, cardiac re-hospitalization, re-intervention, and major cerebro-vascular and cardiac events.

RESULTS: A total of 85 consecutive patients [78 ± 6 years, 48 (56.5%) men] with severe MR were included. There was no operative mortality while in-hospital mortality was 3.5% (n = 3) and 30-day mortality 4.7% (n = 4). Follow-up was 211 ± 173 days. Survival and composite endpoint-free survival at one year were 71% and 55%. Multivariate analysis revealed that residual MR immediately after MitraClip® placement (OR 7.4; 95% CI 2.3-23.7) and preoperative MV gradient (OR 2.7; 95% CI 1.5-5.0) were predictors for composite endpoint. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (OR 8.3; 95% CI 1.9-37.1) was an additional predictor for composite endpoint.

CONCLUSION: MitraClip® is a valid tool with favorable outcomes in high-risk patients. The degree of residual MR seems to impact on follow-up composite endpoint outcome. An optimal correction of MR after MitraClip placement could be advocated to optimize the benefits of the procedure and minimize the risk of adverse outcomes.