65-Year-Old Elderly Patient with Complex Heart Condition Treated Successfully via Precision-Driven MitraClip Procedure

Faridabad: Doctors at Fortis Escorts Hospital, Faridabad have successfully treated a 65-year-old woman suffering from severe mitral valve leakage (a condition where the valve between the heart's left upper and lower chambers doesn't close properly, causing blood to flow backward into the left atrium), a life-threatening condition that had placed her at high risk of heart failure and sudden cardiac arrest.

The multi-disciplinary team of doctors led by Dr Sanjay Kumar, Senior Director- Cardiology, Fortis Escorts Hospital, Faridabad, along with Dr Amit Madaan, Senior Consultant, Cardiology, Fortis Escorts Faridabad, opted for a MitraClip procedure - a minimally invasive, catheter-based technique and the patient was discharged in a stable condition in 21 days.

The patient had a long history of cardiac ailments, including Coronary Artery Disease. Angioplasty was performed with three stents in 2022, and a pacemaker for complete heart blockage. She was admitted with severe breathlessness, cough and difficulty lying down - classic signs of worsening heart failure.

With a very high mortality risk of 17.6%, open-heart surgery was not a safe option. Her long-term outlook was also poor, with only 20% chances of survival over five years without timely treatment. A 2D Echo showed severe mitral valve leakage, weak heart pumping and enlarged heart chambers, making immediate intervention essential to prevent life-threatening complications.

Given the complexity of the case and the high surgical risk, the cardiac team opted for a MitraClip procedure, a minimally invasive, catheter-based technique performed through a vein, without the need for open-heart surgery.

The 2-hour 30-minute procedure was performed under local anaesthesia, utilising advanced TEE (through-the-mouth ultrasound imaging) and fluoroscopic (cath lab X-ray) guidance, which required high precision and expert coordination among interventional cardiologists, imaging specialists, and anesthesiologists. The MitraClip was successfully positioned, resulting in a significant reduction in the valve leak. Post-procedure, the patient required intensive care due to her fragile heart condition, but she steadily improved.

Giving details of the case, Dr Sanjay Kumar, Senior Director Cardiology, Fortis Escorts Hospital, Faridabad said, “This case was exceptionally challenging and complex, involving a 65-year-old woman with severe mitral valve leakage and a high-risk cardiac profile that included prior stents, a pacemaker, and a critically high mortality rate of 17.6%.

Her recurrent heart failure episodes, weakened heart function, and enlarged heart chambers further elevated the urgency, leaving her with only a 20% five-year survival probability without prompt treatment. Given the extremely high surgical risk, the team opted for the MitraClip procedure - a minimally invasive intervention that demands exceptional precision and advanced imaging coordination.

Successfully performing this intricate procedure in such a fragile patient underscores the rarity of the case and highlights the advanced expertise and cardiac care capabilities at Fortis Escorts Hospital, Faridabad.”

Dr Abhishek Sharma, Facility Director, Fortis Escorts Hospital, Faridabad, said, “This complex case highlights the advanced cardiac care infrastructure we have built at Fortis Escorts Hospital, Faridabad. Treating such a high-risk patient through a minimally invasive MitraClip procedure reflects the expertise of the cardiac team and our commitment to delivering cutting-edge, lifesaving treatments. We are proud of our clinicians for ensuring a safe outcome in a situation where conventional surgery was not an option. Our focus remains on providing timely, world-class care to every patient who walks through our doors.”