Simultaneous endovascular "edge-to-edge" clipping of the mitral valve leaflets and closure of the left atrial appendage in a high surgical risk patient

Abstract

Mitral regurgitation is one of the most common valvular heart diseases, with the gold standard of its treatment being an open surgical intervention. However, it is not always performed in patients with a high surgical risk. Atrial fibrillation is a frequent companion of mitral valve regurgitation. It significantly increases the risk of ischemic strokes and systemic thromboembolism and required the administration of anticoagulants. Long-term use of anticoagulants entails an increased risk of hemorrhagic complications. Surgical endovascular closure of the left atrial appendage allows for reduction of the risks both of embolic and hemorrhagic complications. This paper presents a clinical case of the first in Russia successful simultaneous endovascular remodeling of the mitral valve by edge-to-edge leaflet clipping and closure of the left atrial appendage with an Amplatzer Amulet occluder. This was an 85-year old patient with advanced mitral regurgitation, who was not considered a candidate for an open surgery due to his high surgical risk. The severity of the patients condition was related to atrial fibrillation, rectal cancer and severe anemia. The patient underwent simultaneous sequential clipping of the mitral valve leaflets and closure of the left atrial appendage. Control trans-esophageal echocardiography showed a significant decrease in the mitral regurgitation grade. There were no complications during the hospital stay and in the early postoperative period. The lack of convincing data and research makes it impossible to delineate clear indications and contraindications for the combination of two procedures within one surgical session. However, simultaneous endovascular clipping of the mitral valve leaflets and an occluder implantation into the left atrial appendage may become the method of choice in the treatment of patients with severe mitral valve regurgitation, prevention of embolic and hemorrhagic complications in high risk comorbid patients.