MitraClip in Israel: low-traumatic catheterization of heart
The malfunction of the mitral valve, which is located between the left auricle and the left ventricle of heart – is a heavy pathology that used to be a direct indication for open heart operation, with connection to the cardiopulmonary bypass. Nowadays Israel clinics are specialized in providing a low-invasive catheterization by the MitraClip method that totally excludes traumatic for the patient sternotomy (section of a breast) and artificial cardiac arrest. The MitraClip procedure is intended to reduce operation injury and can be performed even to patients with contraindications to surgery.
The MitraClip procedure in Israel: indications
Indications for MitraClip procedure are considered to be the severe forms of mitral insufficiency caused by a leaky heart valve. Due to the mitral valve stenosis there is a mitral regurgitation (the retrograde blood flow between the left departments of heart: ventricle and auricle). The abnormal valve activity provokes additional pressure for cardiac muscle to ensure vital activity of an organism. If no actions are taken, the stenosis of the mitral valve can lead to a number of extremely serious consequences, up to the patient’s death. Traditional implant installation demands an open heart operation, however there is a category of patients that are forbidden to undergo any surgical intervention such as patients with renal or heart failure and those who are in critical condition. In that case, the innovative MitraClip treatment is a suitable and effective option.
MitraClip procedure: Description
The MitraClip procedure represents the mitral valve defect elimination by means of installation of special clip-on earrings (clips) that resolve the retrograde blood flow in the left auricle. In Israel this type of procedure is carried out by specially trained heart surgeons who have a great experience in implementation of low-invasive operations on heart. The procedure is held under the general anesthesia without any breast cuts as it does not require opening the chest. A thin tube called a catheter accesses through a skin.
The percutaneous system, used for mitral valve reconstruction, consists of four catheters and MitraClip device. The catheters are inserted to the patient through the femoral artery using a core wire. Gradual core wire implementation is held with a help of special valve retractor (a tool for expansion of natural openings). After the conductor and a dilatator are removed, the clip is entered into the left auricle so that it is located precisely over the place of an incomplete valve closure. After that the leaflets reveal. Using a color Doppler sonography, the area with the retro grade blood-flow is defined.
The clip moves ahead for valve leaflets, into a cavity of the left ventricle. After the clip is delayed in the opposite direction and closed, it connects valve leaflets that cause the mitral regurgitation decreases. The main task of the heart surgeon is to find of the most correct clip provision, therefore the manipulation can be repeated several times.
As a result of clip imposing, there is the double opening through both parts of which the blood-flow is carried out. Before catheter removal our specialists control the durability of leaflets connection. Being strongly connected by both leaflets of the valve, the clip moves simultaneously with the valve, without interfering a blood-flow through the two received openings. The clip is made of metal with a polyester cover, for the fastest healing. MitraClip treatment is an effective way to eliminate the mitral valve insufficiency. Post-operative period after the MitraClip procedure is much easier and quicker in comparison with traditional open-heart operation. During the recovery period the patient is appointed to take a course of anticoagulants. As a rule, the patient can get back to a usual way of life in short time (within a month).
MitraClip in Israel: price
The total cost of the MitraClip treatment depends on:
- The level of damage of mitral valve
- Patient’s general condition
- Cost of medicine for post-operative recovery.
As a rule, the exact price for total cost can be charged after diagnostic testing.
MitraClip treatment is an innovative and technically complex procedure that can be performed only in specialized leading hospitals. The technique of procedure is identical, the only difference between MitraClip treatment in Israel and Europe is its price. MitraClip treatment in Israel is 30-50% cheaper than in the clinic of the same level in Europe.
