MitraClip® is a Heart Valve Surgery Option at Tampa General Hospital

In addition to traditional heart valve surgery, the minimally invasive MitraClip® is performed here. This treatment option is for patients with severe mitral regurgitation, who are not candidates for open heart surgery. The procedure allows the placement of a small V-shaped clip that attaches the loose part of the mitral valve leaflet and reduces the amount of leakage. The clip is advanced through the leg vein. The MitraClip procedure is performed in our state-of-the-art hybrid operating room, which functions like a catheterization lab, but has all the capabilities of a traditional operating room, along with advanced, high-resolution imaging equipment.

To schedule an appointment with the Heart and Vascular Institute, call 813-844-3900 or email heart-vascular@tgh.org

MITRACLIP Q & A

Q: AM I A CANDIDATE FOR THE MITRACLIP PROCEDURE?

A: If you have severe mitral regurgitation and have been told that you are not a good candidate for open heart surgery, MitraClip may be right for you. Patients referred to the Tampa General Hospital Heart Valve Center for MitraClip evaluation will have testing performed to determine if they are candidates for the procedure. Our nurse navigator will assist you through this process. 

Q: WHAT TYPE OF TESTS WILL NEED TO BE DONE?

A: Our team needs a lot of information about you, your heart, and your overall health. Patients being evaluated for the MitraClip procedure will need to have a cardiac echocardiogram (echo) and a cardiac angiogram (cardiac cath) performed. Some patients may need additional testing, which will be determined by the medical team.

Q: DOES THE MITRACLIP PROCEDURE REQUIRE A HOSPITAL STAY?

A: The surgery is performed under general anesthesia and usually takes three to four hours. The average hospital stay following a MitraClip procedure is four to seven days. To view more information on MitraClip, click here.