MitraClip or Ventricular Assist Device?

The patient was a 59-year-old female with advanced heart failure and severe functional mitral regurgitation who was classified as INTERMACS profile 4 with repeated hospitalizations despite guideline-directed medical therapy. She was also listed for heart transplantation. After comparing the two major therapeutic strategies: (1) durable left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation and (2) percutaneous MitraClip procedure (Abbott Vascular, Abbott Park, IL, USA), we eventually decided to proceed with MitraClip, given her relatively lower B-type natriuretic peptide, lower MAGGIC Heart Failure risk score, and higher predicted survival without LVAD. The post-procedural course was favorable without any comorbidities or worsening of heart failure for 10 months. A diagnostic paradigm to guide which strategy to choose (LVAD or MitraClip) for patients with advanced heart failure and functional mitral regurgitation should be constructed.