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Chronic mitral regurgitation is a condition where blood flows backwards into the left atrium (one of the four chambers of the heart) as the heart pumps blood to the rest of the body. It occurs when the mitral valve does not function properly. In most patients, mitral regurgitation does not require treatment. However, for some people the condition can cause shortness of breath and lead to progressive damage to the heart. In these patients, surgery is usually the best treatment option.

For patients who cannot undergo surgery due to high risks, an alternate approach has been proposed. It involves a medical device called a mitral valve clip, which is inserted into a blood vessel near the groin using a catheter. The mitral valve clip slides up through the blood vessel all the way to the heart and helps ensure blood flows in the right direction.