Intrepid steps towards clinical prime time

Mitral regurgitation (MR) is the most common valvular disorder and its prevalence is increasing in the aging population. MR is classically managed surgically or conservatively depending on its etiology and patient characteristics, however severe comorbidities preclude surgery in up to 50% of patients with severe MR (1). The development and widespread acceptance of transcatheter aortic valve replacement for patients with severe aortic stenosis over the past two decades has created a paradigm shift in the management of valvular heart disease. The mitral valve has quickly become the focus of emerging transcatheter technologies. However, challenges inherent to the mitral valve apparatus have made the development of transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR) a more difficult endeavor (2)