Indications and patent selection for catheter-based treatment of mitral valve regurgitation: Recommendations of the working group on catheter-based heart valve therapy of the German Society for Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery

Symptomatic mitral regurgitation (MR) is the most common heart valve disease in western countries and cardiac surgery or catheter-based therapy requires a multidisciplinary treatment approach. The MR is etiologically subdivided into primary and secondary MR, which are subject to different treatment strategies. The introduction of catheter-based treatment methods, in particular percutaneous mitral valve repair using the MitraClip® system (Abbott Vascular, Santa Clara, CA, USA), has led to an expansion of treatment options alongside conventional mitral valve surgery. Percutaneous mitral valve repair using the MitraClip system can be used for the treatment of primary and secondary MR under defined conditions for inoperable and high-risk patients. It is the task of the cardiac surgeon to actively participate in the multidisciplinary treatment process. Due to the increase in the number of patients with symptomatic MR treated by catheter-based techniques, the working group on catheter-based heart valve therapy of the German Society of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery has developed recommendations for the indications and patient selection within the framework of a multidisciplinary heart team.