India’s First Indigenous Mitral Clip Procedure Performed in Telugu States

A 70-year-old retired employee suffering from severe heart disease has been successfully treated with India’s first indigenously developed Mitral Clip device (MyClip) in the Telugu states. The breakthrough procedure was performed by Dr. Sai Sudhakar, leading interventional cardiologist and cardiac transplant physician at Gleneagles Hospital, Hyderabad.

Patient’s Condition

The patient had been living with severe mitral regurgitation (MR) — a condition where blood leaks backward into the heart’s upper chamber instead of being pumped out. For two years, he experienced breathlessness, swollen feet, and difficulty in performing daily activities.

Traditional treatment options for such patients include:

• Open-heart surgery, which carries high risk in elderly patients.
• Heart transplant, which is often inaccessible.
• Medicines, which are usually inadequate in advanced MR cases.

Given his age and condition, surgery and transplant were not feasible. Doctors suggested a non-surgical mitral valve repair using a clip device.

The Make in India Breakthrough

Until recently, India relied on costly US-made mitral clip devices, making treatment out of reach for most patients. In June 2025, Indian company Meril launched MyClip, the first indigenously developed mitral clip, after regulatory approvals.

This device, priced much lower than imported options, made advanced treatment affordable for Indian patients.

Successful Procedure

The transcatheter MyClip procedure performed by Dr. Sai Sudhakar was non-surgical, minimally invasive, and highly effective. After the procedure, the patient’s breathlessness reduced significantly. He is now able to walk, exercise, and carry out his routine comfortably.

“Patients with severe mitral regurgitation are often at high surgical risk due to age or other health problems. If untreated, more than 50% may not survive, and one-year mortality can be as high as 57%. For such patients, this non-surgical MyClip procedure offers a life-saving alternative,” said Dr. Sai Sudhakar.

The Larger Need in India

• Around 1.5 million Indians suffer from severe MR, with 1.2 million linked to heart failure or prior heart attacks.
• In the Telugu states alone, thousands of elderly patients face similar challenges.
• Many are not improving with medicines and are unfit for surgery or transplant.

For these patients, transcatheter MyClip repair is a new ray of hope.

Make in India Advantage

This case highlights how the Make in India initiative is transforming healthcare. By producing world-class devices like MyClip, India is making advanced cardiac care affordable and accessible.

The availability of low-cost, indigenous medical devices ensures that more patients across the country can now receive life-saving treatments that were once out of reach.