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Heart Valve Disease

Transcatheter Mitral Valve Replacement Trial for Severe Mitral Regurgitation

A less invasive option for treating mitral insufficiency is under investigation in a clinical trial at University Hospitals Harrington Heart & Vascular Institute, the only program in Northeast Ohio to offer this technology. As part of the Apollo trial, UH patients with severe symptomatic mitral regurgitation will have the opportunity to be randomized to receive either conventional open-heart mitral valve replacement surgery or an investigational transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR) procedure. In addition, patients who are not good surgical candidates could have the opportunity of being treated with TMVR.

The Apollo trial is testing the Intrepid® transcatheter mitral valve replacement system, which is compressed inside a hollow delivery catheter and is inserted between the ribs to enter the heart. The new replacement valve is expanded directly into the malfunctioning mitral valve.

The percutaneous technologies currently FDA-approved to treat mitral insufficiency are MitraClip, which enables percutaneous native mitral valve repair, and transcatheter valves used for valve-in-valve procedures (i.e., treatment of a failed surgical valve). For those with mitral valve disease, there is currently no TMVR technology approved by the FDA. The Apollo study is, therefore, extremely important as it may lead to a shift in the treatment of native mitral valve insufficiency.

Transcatheter Mitral Valve Replacement Experts

As part of providing comprehensive care for patients with mitral valve disorders, University Hospitals is the only healthcare system in Northeast Ohio to give its patients access to the Apollo trial.

In addition to the Apollo trial, UH also offers MitraClip therapy, valve-in-valve and other complex procedures – the full spectrum of mitral valve interventions – a combined effort of UH interventional cardiology and cardiac surgery experts.

To schedule an appointment or refer a patient, call our patient program coordinator at 216-844-2534.

For more information about the APOLLO trial, call our clinical research nurse, Rachel Atkinson, at 216-844-4950.