Preparing for a MitraClip™ Procedure

A Clinical Nursing Coordinator at the Cottage Heart & Vascular Center will contact you to review and complete a pre-procedure checklist as well as answer any questions you may have. We want to ensure that all of your questions and your family’s questions about the procedure are answered.

Pre-Procedure Checklist

Please read each item carefully as failure to follow this checklist could result in a delay, rescheduling or cancellation of your procedure.

  • The nurse coordinator will review the procedure instructions with you approximately one week before the procedure. You will also receive a phone call the day prior to your procedure from a procedure nurse to confirm all instructions.
  • You may be started on a low dose daily aspirin by your doctor if you are not already taking a blood thinner.
  • Due to the less invasive percutaneous approach for your MitraClip™ repair procedure, your hospital recovery time will be much shorter than traditional surgical valve replacement. Please have your caregiver prepared for you to return home within 24 hours following your procedure. Our goal is to get you home and back to your normal routine as quickly as possible.

Night Prior to Procedure

  • Do not eat or drink after midnight the day of your procedure except as directed. Do not drink any alcoholic beverages within 24 hours of your procedure.
  • Stop taking Coumadin, Warfarin, Pradaxa, Xarelto, and Eliquis as directed by your physician team.

Day of Procedure

  • Follow the pre-procedure instructions given to you by the nurse about which medications are to be taken on the day of your procedure.
  • After fasting since midnight, arrive at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital at the time you were instructed so you can be admitted into the hospital. Please leave any valuables at home or with a caregiver.
  • You will meet your anesthesiologist and some members of your heart team may stop by to ensure you are prepared and all your questions are answered.
  • If you use a CPAP or BIPAP machine at home, please bring it to the hospital with you. The machine maybe used during your procedure or during your hospital stay.
  • If you currently use a walker or cane to assist with ambulation, please bring it with you to the hospital.

Immediately After Your MitraClip Procedure

  • Doctors will speak to your family about your progress and any next steps.
  • You will be taken to the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) to recover for approximately two hours to awaken fully from anesthesia.
  • You will be required to lay flat (not bending from the waist) for four to six hours to allow your puncture site to completely seal. After that, you will be allowed to get out of bed to sit in a chair.
  • The small puncture in your groin area will have a dressing and possible suture that will be removed later in the evening by a member of your care team.
  • You may begin to take in ice chips or clear liquids and begin eating once you feel ready.
  • You will also be encouraged to walk on the first night after your procedure.

Day 1 After Your Procedure

  • For the first 12-24 hours you will be monitored closely on the Telemetry floor. You should anticipate discharge from the hospital the day after your procedure.
  • We will have you re-start your home medications.
  • We will have you sit up in a chair and you will be encouraged to drink and eat.

Your Discharge

Your nurse coordinator will review all discharge home care instructions and follow up care information before you go home as well as answer any questions you may have. Some of these instructions include:

  • No heavy lifting or strenuous exercise for two weeks after your MitraClip™ procedure.
  • You make take a shower, but no soaking in a bathtub, pool or jacuzzi.
  • Monitor your puncture site for signs and symptoms of infection and contact your doctor’s office if you do experience any.
  • Follow-up appointment dates and times will be given to you before leaving the hospital.