The Use of MitraClip for Symptomatic Patients with Hypertrophic Obstructive Cardiomyopathy

OBJECTIVES: Current nonpharmacological therapies for symptomatic patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM), including septal myectomy and alcohol septal ablation (ASA), carry significant risks for serious cardiac conduction abnormalities. We present a review of the currently available published data regarding the novel use of the relatively low-risk MitraClip® system in the treatment of symptomatic patients. METHODS: Data were collected from 4 separate studies on the use of the MitraClip on 15 symptomatic HOCM patients with systolic anterior motion (SAM) of the mitral valve apparatus. Information regarding the degree of mitral regurgitation (MR), left-ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) gradient, and NYHA class was consolidated. RESULTS: After MitraClip treatment, all patients had a resolution of SAM, a reduction in MR, and a reduction in the LVOT gradient from a mean of 75.8 ± 39.7 to 11.0 ± 5.6 mm Hg. Nearly all patients demonstrated improvements in symptoms by either new NYHA class designations or improved exercise tolerance. The procedure was not associated with conduction abnormalities or arrhythmias. CONCLUSION: MitraClip therapy may be a safe and effective treatment for symptomatic HOCM patients; it can help to avoid the potential risks associated with alternative therapies in high-risk surgical patients.