Percutaneous mitral valve annuloplasty for functional mitral regurgitation: acute results of the first patient treated with the Viacor permanent device and future perspectives

Abstract

Background: There is a need to develop less invasive techniques to manage moderate or severe functional mitral regurgitation in patients at high surgical risk.

Objective: We report the acute results of the first patient treated with the permanent Viacor percutaneous transvenous mitral annuloplasty (PTMA) device in North America, introduce the PTOLEMY-2 protocol, and briefly discuss the current status of transvenous mitral valve techniques.

Case report: After several episodes of pulmonary edema, an 87-year-old woman was referred for hemodynamic evaluation. Angiography revealed normal coronary arteries and severe mitral regurgitation. Baseline echocardiography showed severe (4+) functional mitral regurgitation. The coronary sinus was cannulated with a 9.5-Fr introducer from a left subclavian approach. After distal positioning of a coronary wire, the 7-Fr PTMA Viacor catheter was advanced to the anterior interventricular vein. Two 130 g/cm rods were then inserted resulting in an acute and dramatic reduction in mitral regurgitation as assessed by continuous transoesophageal echocardiography and which was associated with a sudden rise in arterial blood pressure. The next day, transthoracic echocardiogram showed a significant reduction in effective regurgitant orifice area (EROA) from 41 to 10 mm(2). The patient was discharged home the day following the procedure without complication. In accordance with the PTOLEMY-2 protocol, she will undergo 3-D transthoracic echocardiograms, quality of life assessments, and 6-min walk tests at regular intervals for the next 5 years.

Conclusion: PTMA is a promising technique for the treatment of severe mitral regurgitation in selected patients. Further ongoing research will determine the predictors of success and long-term safety and performance of this technique.