Aims: We aimed to examine the effectiveness and the optimal technique for transcatheter therapy for residual mitral regurgitation (MR) after MitraClip therapy with the AMPLATZER Vascular Plug II (AVP-II).
Methods and results: Nine patients (mean age, 78±4 years) underwent transcatheter therapy with the AVP-II for residual MR after MitraClip therapy. We examined procedural, in-hospital, and 30-day outcomes. Our technique was successful in all cases, with treatment of different types of residual MR, including paraclip, interclip, and leaflet perforation. MR grade decreased significantly from 4+ to 1+ (p<0.0001), with final residual MR being mild or none in seven patients. Mitral stenosis did not occur with plug placement. The optimal deployment technique for reduction of MR was placement with only one segment on the left atrial side of the mitral valve leaflets (n=8). During clinical follow-up (median 155 days), symptom improvement had occurred in all patients (NYHA class, baseline vs follow-up, 3.2±0.4 vs 2.3±0.8; p=0.01) with mild or no symptoms in six patients. There was no procedural mortality, major adverse event(s), device embolisation, haemolysis or need for cardiac surgery.
Conclusions: For patients with residual MR after MitraClip therapy, this technique may be effective and safe, especially when deployed with only one segment on the left atrial side of the mitral leaflets.