SL Raheja Hospital, Mahim Successfully Conducts a Mitra clip Procedure on A 52-Year-Old Patient

~ Patient is the youngest in Maharashtra to have undergone this minimally invasive interventional cardiology procedure ~

Specialists at SL Raheja Hospital, Mahim successfully performed a Mitra Clip procedure on a 52-year-old male patient suffering from cardiac failure along with Mitral Regurgitation (a condition where the leaflets of the mitral valve do not close properly, causing backward flow of blood to the lungs). During this procedure, a small device called a Mitra Clip is placed in the heart’s mitral valve to reduce leakage. The team of doctors led by Dr Haresh Mehta, Consultant-Interventional Cardiologist, SL Raheja Hospital, Mahim-Fortis Associate, conducted the procedure successfully on 7 June 2023, post which the patient was discharged and is recovering quite well.

A patient with Ischemic Heart Failure, he had suffered a heart attack in January 2023, for which he had undergone angioplasty. Despite the angioplasty, his post-recovery did not go well, and his heart function had reduced by 20-25%. After a series of tests were conducted, it was found that the patient had a severe leak in his mitral valve (the valve between the left atrium and the left ventricle of the heart), requiring surgery. He was also on many medications, which could not be increased as he had low blood pressure, and increasing the dosage was not possible, without increasing his health risk.

When presented at SL Raheja Hospital, Mahim on 5 June 2023, the patient was on many medications for his condition. After a round of consultation with Dr Haresh Mehta and other specialists at the hospital, it was decided that Mitra Clip would offer the best outcome as it would improve his heart function and repair the leakage in his heart.

Sharing details of the case, Dr Haresh Mehta, Consultant-Interventional Cardiologist, SL Raheja Hospital, Mahim-A Fortis Associate, said, “Considering the patient’s diagnosis and present condition, we opted for the Mitra Clip procedure, which would reduce his risk of heart failure significantly and at the same time delay/ prevent his need for a heart transplant. The clip is placed on the mitral valve to control the leakage. Any surgical procedure to repair the heart valve is high risk for patients who have a weak heart. Mitra Clip is the only procedure that has shown successful outcomes in such cases. It is a complex procedure requiring precision and experience.”

Speaking during the landmark procedure, Dr Kunal Punamiya, CEO-SL Raheja Hospital, Mahim-A Fortis Associate, said, “We are happy to have performed this Mitra Clip procedure on the youngest patient in Maharashtra. This case was complex due to the existing heart condition of the patient. The patient’s prognosis was grim, but we were able to give them a second chance at life through our expert care. As a hospital, we have always striven to offer highest level of care to save lives and ensure improved outcomes for every patient.”

The patient had been an IT professional for the past 25 years and the past six months have taken quite an emotional and physical toll, especially since he has been in and out of hospitals. The surgery to repair the leak in his mitral valve was critical as it could play a huge role in improving his quality of life. To ensure that the outcome would be positive, the patient’s wife and family encouraged him to remain optimistic and follow all the requirements for a successful surgery.

The patient’s wife said, “My husband is a simple man and was heart-broken when he lost his vocal cords during his first surgery. Although he was a non-smoker, he had Hypertension and Diabetes for 15 years. He was admitted to SL Raheja Hospital, Mahim after suffering from cardiac issues, that’s when we consulted Dr Mehta. After assessing his condition, the team at the hospital felt that Mitra Clip procedure would be needed to treat the leakage in his heart. He is recovering well, and although he must make a few lifestyle changes, we are thankful to the team for their help and support.”

The procedure was successful, and the patient recovered well, although he was kept in the ICU until his medications could be reduced and he could be weaned off the ventilator. As a precautionary measure, before his discharge, an ICD pacemaker was inserted to deliver shocks which would help prevent sudden cardiac death due to life threatening fast heart rates (ventricular arrhythmias).

The patient has been discharged and it is hoped that in future follow-up appointments, his recovery will become even better.