Real-time Three-Dimensional Echocardiogram in the Identification of Late Complications in the Follow-Up After Mitraclip® Implantation

Introduction

Conventional surgery is the treatment of choice for severe mitral valve regurgitation. However, it is not feasible for patients at high surgical risk, who have high morbidity and mortality rates despite clinical treatment. Percutaneous valve treatment (MitraClip) has been evolving as a therapeutic perspective for this population, with reduced heart failure (HF) hospitalization and all-cause mortality rates.^,,

Three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (3DTEE) has an additive role during clinical follow-up, especially in cases of suspected late complications with high detail of valve anatomy and clip positioning with cardiac structures. Additionally, due to the greater anatomical accuracy of this test, complications resulting from the procedure can be safely detected in real time.

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