Kaweah Health Performs Its First MitraClip Procedure
May 8, 2026
Dr. Harleen Chahil performed three MitraClip™ placements on Tuesday, Kaweah Health’s first use of the minimally invasive procedure for patients where open-heart surgery is not an option.
MitraClip therapy is approved for treating patients with clinically significant mitral regurgitation and for whom open heart surgery is not possible. Mitral regurgitation is a heart condition where the mitral valve on the left side doesn’t close tightly, causing blood to leak backward into the left atrium instead of flowing to the body.
“Having the ability to offer this at Kaweah Health means patients do not have to travel for treatment anymore,” said Dr. Chahil, an interventional cardiologist. “This treatment can decrease hospitalizations and extend life for patients with this condition.”
Dr. Chahil and her team performed three placements Tuesday, all overseen by Dr. Saibal Kar, director of structural heart disease interventions and clinical research at Los Robles Health System. Dr. Kar is an expert on MitraClip therapy and was there to certify the medical team.
“This is a very important procedure, but it needs to be done at a hospital with a trained, specialized heart team,” Dr. Kar said. Kaweah Health’s comprehensive cardiology services made it a great candidate.
To place the MitraClip, Dr. Chahil makes a small puncture in the groin to access a vein and insert a catheter to reach the heart. The implant is then guided to the heart and placed in the mitral valve. The catheter is removed and the MitraClip becomes a permanent part of the heart.
Besides Dr. Chahil, the medical team includes Dr. Bradlee Bachar, an anesthesiologist specializing in adult cardiac anesthesiology. During the procedure Dr. Bachar reads the echocardiograph, which provides real-time imaging of the heart, and helps guide placement of the MitraClip. Also on the team are specialized nurses and operating room technicians experienced with heart procedures.
Along with Dr. Chahil, Dr. Ankur Gupta and Dr. Atul Singla are also approved to perform the MitraClip procedure at Kaweah Health.
This procedure adds to the growing list of advanced procedures that can now be performed at Kaweah Health as the healthcare organization continues to expand patients’ access to care.
