• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.54 no.3
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• pp.165-171
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• 2021

As a percutaneous technique for the reduction of mitral regurgitation, the MitraClip system (Abbott Vascular, Abbott Park, IL, USA) for transcatheter edge-to-edge repair of the mitral valve was developed in 1998 and first used in 2003. Its main advantage is being less invasive than surgery, because it can be performed through a transcatheter approach without any hemodynamic compromise. Recent studies have shown that this procedure reduces symptoms and improves functional capacity with low complication rates. Two randomized clinical trials have investigated the use of this technique for functional mitral regurgitation. The Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety approved its use for degenerative mitral regurgitation in 2019, and this procedure started to be performed in Korea in January 2020. Its use for functional mitral regurgitation was also approved in Korea in 2020. In this article, recent evidence on transcatheter edge-to-edge repair of the mitral valve and our initial experiences in Korea will be reviewed.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.54 no.6
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• pp.449-453
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• 2021

The 2020 American College of Cardiology focused update on the mitral regurgitation (MR) pathway provides an excellent summary of the decision-making trees in the treatment of severe MR, in which 2 main branches of the flowchart are suggested depending on whether MR is primary or secondary. Surgery is suggested as preferable over transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) in primary MR that needs intervention. The decision-making for secondary MR generally prioritizes TEER over surgery according to the guidelines, but further stratification is necessary based on the pathophysiologic mechanisms of MR. TEER is probably the more suitable option in secondary MR caused by left ventricular dysfunction or dilatation, given the high perceived surgical risks, despite the lack of sufficient evidence in support of overt clinical benefits from surgical therapy in these patients. In atrial functional MR associated with atrial fibrillation (AF), however, concomitant ablation of AF seems to be a desirable option, as it has been demonstrated to be a key factor leading to improved survival, reduced stroke risk, and more durable mitral and tricuspid function in patients undergoing mitral surgery. Therefore, atrial functional MR requiring intervention may be best treated by surgical therapy that combines mitral repair and AF ablation in the majority of patients. This particular issue, however, needs further research to obtain scientific evidence to guide optimal management strategies.

• Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.24-25
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• 2023