MitraClip Deployed via Left Femoral Vein in an 85-Year-Old Woman with Mitral Regurgitation

Abstract

The MitraClip system can be used to control regurgitant blood flow in patients with mitral regurgitation who cannot tolerate open surgery to replace the mitral valve. Technical limitations make the right femoral vein the standard access point for placing the MitraClip. However, this route is not always suitable. We present the case of an 85-year-old woman in whom we successfully used a left-sided approach for inserting a MitraClip because her right femoral vein was occluded. This apparently novel left femoral approach merits consideration as an option for device insertion when right femoral vein access is precluded.