TEER reduces mitral valve leakage by clipping the valve leaflets together through a catheter, helping patients breathe easier and improve daily activity
Mumbai: A minimally invasive heart procedure known as Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair (TEER) is offering a new treatment option for patients with severe mitral valve leakage, particularly those who are considered high-risk for conventional surgery. Doctors at HVS Symbiosis Hospital recently performed the catheter-based procedure on a 74-year-old patient who had been experiencing repeated hospitalisations due to worsening heart failure.
Mitral regurgitation occurs when the heart’s mitral valve does not close properly, allowing blood to leak backwards within the heart. Over time, the condition can lead to breathlessness, persistent fatigue, swelling in the legs and a gradual decline in the ability to perform routine activities. Cardiologists say the condition remains an under-recognised cause of progressive heart failure, particularly among older adults who may attribute these symptoms to ageing and delay seeking medical attention.
When left untreated, severe mitral valve leakage can place continuous strain on the heart, often resulting in recurrent hospital admissions and declining heart function.
TEER offers an alternative for patients who may not be suitable candidates for open-heart surgery. During the procedure, doctors guide a thin catheter through a vein in the leg and advance it to the heart. Using continuous imaging guidance, a small device is positioned on the mitral valve to help the valve leaflets come together more effectively and reduce the backward flow of blood.
The patient who underwent the procedure had been living with severe mitral valve leakage and had required multiple hospital admissions due to worsening breathlessness and fluid retention. Given the patient’s age and associated medical conditions, conventional surgery was considered high risk. After detailed cardiac imaging and evaluation by a multidisciplinary heart team, TEER was recommended as a suitable treatment option.
Following the procedure, doctors reported improvement in the patient’s symptoms, including reduced breathlessness, fewer episodes of fluid retention, and better ability to carry out daily activities.
Dr. Ankur Phatarpekar, Interventional Cardiologist at the hospital, said, “In many cases, we see patients who are admitted several times with breathlessness because the leaking valve continues to place extra strain on the heart. For elderly patients or those with other health conditions that make surgery risky, TEER offers a less invasive alternative. The procedure allows us to repair the valve through a catheter without opening the chest, and many patients experience meaningful symptom relief and fewer hospitalisations. When the pressure on the heart is reduced, patients often find it easier to breathe, move around, and return to their daily routines with greater comfort and independence.”
Cardiologists say that early diagnosis of valve disease remains important, as timely intervention can help prevent the progression of heart failure. With advances in catheter-based procedures such as TEER, minimally invasive techniques are increasingly improving symptom control, reducing hospitalisations and supporting better long-term functional outcomes for patients with complex valve disease.
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