Successful MitraClip for severe rheumatic mitral regurgitation: a case report

Anatomical exclusion criteria for the MitraClip procedure have included rheumatic heart disease (RHD) involving the mitral valve. This was primarily because RHD is typically associated with mitral stenosis (MS).

We report the case of an 85-year-old male who had recurrent heart failure admissions from severe rheumatic mitral regurgitation (MR). This was successfully treated with the MitraClip system.

Our case demonstrated the possibility of rheumatic MR being treated by the MitraClip system in appropriately selected patients. Careful examination of the mechanism of MR to determine suitability for MitraClip must be done as well as exclusion of significant MS.