A 76-year-old woman suffering from severe mitral regurgitation has been successfully treated using India's first domestically developed mitral clip device, MyClip, at Jay Prabha Medanta Super Speciality Hospital in Patna. Mitral regurgitation occurs when the heart's mitral valve does not close properly, leading to backward blood leakage and an elevated risk of heart failure, according to doctors.
Patient's Condition and Challenges
The elderly patient had been experiencing severe breathlessness, swollen feet, extreme fatigue, kidney disease, anaemia, and advanced heart disease for nearly three years. These symptoms made routine daily activities increasingly difficult. Given her advanced age of 76 and multiple health complications, conventional treatment options such as open-heart surgery or heart transplant were deemed too risky.
Innovative Minimally Invasive Procedure
Doctors opted for the minimally invasive MyClip procedure, where the device is delivered through a small tube inserted via a blood vessel, eliminating the need for major surgery. The procedure was performed on May 5 by Dr Pramod Kumar, director and head of cardiology, along with Dr Ajay Kumar Sinha, director of clinical and preventive cardiology. The patient was discharged on May 8 and showed marked improvement, now able to manage her daily routine with greater ease.
Significance of MyClip
Dr Praveen Chandra, chairman of interventional cardiology and cardiac care at the hospital's Gurugram wing, stated that advanced technologies developed in India, such as MyClip, could become a game changer for the healthcare sector by expanding access to world-class treatment. He emphasized that minimally invasive procedures reduce risk, support faster recovery, and significantly improve quality of life.
Impact on Indian Healthcare
Doctors highlighted that nearly 1.5 million Indians are estimated to suffer from severe mitral regurgitation, many of whom are elderly and medically fragile. In Bihar alone, thousands face similar challenges. Untreated severe mitral regurgitation can have devastating outcomes, with high mortality among patients who are not suitable for surgery. This milestone underscores the potential of indigenous medical innovations to address critical healthcare needs.
