Noninferiority Trial of MitraClip Implantation Strategies: 1 Clip vs. 2 Clips in Patients With Functional Mitral Regurgitation

Implantation of the MitraClip has become the most frequently used percutaneous technique to treat significant (grade 3+ or 4+) mitral regurgitation (MR) in elderly patients deemed inoperable or at high surgical risk. In Europe, about two-thirds of patients treated with the MitraClip suffer from MR of functional origin secondary to ischemic or dilated cardiomyopathy. At present, there is debate among operators on whether stabilizing/supporting a single adequately implanted clip with a second clip is beneficial for patients with functional MR. Purpose To demonstrate the noninferiority of a 1-clip strategy vs. a 2-clip strategy of MitraClip implantation, when the second clip in the 2-clip study arm is implanted for stabilizing/supporting purposes.