It is a procedure used to treat mitral regurgitation (disease of the mitral valve in which the mitral valve with two leaflets does not close properly when the heart contracts; it acts like a broken valve allowing blood to go back into the left atrium, into a “back and forth” movement from the left atrium into the left ventricle), explains Mischie Alexandru.

The technique used is the trans-septal catheterization of the left heart. Once the catheter is in the left atrium a special device (looks like a clip) is advanced and traps each mitral valve in order to minmize the return of blood in the left atrium. After the clip has been fixed, the catheters are removed. A cardiac ultrasound is recommended during or immediately after the procedure to assess the effectiveness of the device.