Fortis Greater Noida Performs Region First MitraClip Procedure on 84-Year-Old with Severe Heart Failure

Minimally invasive procedure repaired a severely leaking heart valve without open-heart surgery in the high-risk patient with a weakened heart and single functioning kidney

Fortis Hospital Greater Noida has performed the region’s first MitraClip procedure, successfully repairing a leaking heart valve in an 84-year-old patient suffering from heart failure. Conventional open-heart surgery carried an extremely high risk due to the patient's advanced age and multiple complex health conditions. The milestone non-surgical intervention was managed by a cardiology team led by Dr. Harnish Singh Bhatia, Senior Consultant – Cardiology, Fortis Hospital Greater Noida.

Mr. Singh arrived at the hospital suffering from extreme shortness of breath, severe weakness, and recurring heart failure episodes. Medical examination revealed that his heart’s mitral valve (which controls blood flow inside the heart) was not closing properly. This caused blood to leak backward, putting heavy strain on his already weakened heart, which was operating at just 30–35% pumping capacity. 

The 84-year-old had undergone two heart stenting procedures in February 2026, had a single functioning kidney, an enlarged prostate, and a severe urinary infection. Given his age, weak heart and multiple medical conditions, conventional open-heart surgery to repair the mitral valve would have carried significant risk.

To operate on this high-risk case safely, the medical team opted for a MitraClip procedure, a minimally invasive, keyhole treatment that fixes the valve without opening the chest. During the procedure, doctors guided a small clip through a blood vessel in the leg directly into the heart. Guided by 3D heart imaging, the clip (MitraClip XTW G4) was placed on the leaking valve to help it close tightly. The procedure was completed without complications, dramatically reducing the leakage. The surgery was completed without any major complications.

Following the procedure, the patient showed improvement in his symptoms. He was discharged in a stable condition and continues to be followed up by the cardiology team. Had the severe valve leakage remained untreated, it could have further weakened the heart, leading to worsening heart failure, repeated hospital admissions and deterioration in the patient’s overall health.

Dr. Harnish Singh Bhatia, Senior Consultant – Cardiology, Fortis Hospital Greater Noida, said, “Mr. Singh’s case was challenging because of his age, severe heart failure, recent treatment for blocked heart arteries and a single functioning kidney. In such a high-risk patient, open-heart surgery could have been difficult to undertake safely. MitraClip gave us the option of treating the leaking valve through a minimally invasive procedure, without opening the chest. The successful outcome also highlights how careful patient selection and advanced cardiac procedures can help us treat patients who may otherwise have limited treatment options.”

Ms Bindu Sharma, Facility Director, Fortis Greater Noida, said, “Complex cardiac cases often require a combination of clinical experience, advanced technology and coordinated care. At Fortis Hospital Greater Noida, we have been strengthening our cardiac services to provide patients with access to such advanced treatment options closer to home. In Mr. Singh’s case, the team was able to assess his multiple health conditions and offer a less invasive treatment suited to his needs. His improvement following the procedure is a positive outcome and reflects the importance of having specialised cardiac care available for high-risk patients.”