Future of transcatheter repair of the mitral valve

Percutaneous mitral valve repair is under investigation as a novel method to treat mitral valve insufficiency with a catheter-based, closed-heart, nonsurgical approach. Two techniques of mitral valve reconstruction have been adapted from surgery to the percutaneous approach: edge-to-edge repair and annuloplasty. The devices that have been developed to perform these 2 procedures are described, and preliminary clinical experience is presented. Expectations for the future are discussed. (c) 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.