Affecting about one in 50 people, a potentially deadly condition called mitral regurgitation (MR) is caused by a leaky heart valve - and can leave sufferers exhausted even from day-to-day activities.
Thousands of patients with a common heart problem that leaves them weak and struggling for breath are being denied a quick keyhole operation that could transform their lives and reduce their risk of death.
Clipping the faulty valve can reduce the leak and restore normal heart function, dramatically improving quality of life, even for severely ill patients. The procedure takes two hours, has minimal recovery time and, as it is less invasive, reduced complications. WHAT IS A LEAKY MITRAL VALVE?The mitral valve is a small flap in the heart that stops blood flowing the wrong way. If damaged, it can affect how blood flows around the body.
It is often caused by mitral valve prolapse, when the flaps - called leaflets - bulge back into the left atrium as the heart contracts. 'It is very frustrating because TEER is really very straightforward, even for a patient who is very unwell.' While not technically eligible for TEER, the NHS decided to make an exception and offer him the procedure due to the severity of his condition.
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