Bristol Vet Specialists Celebrates One Year of Its Canine mTEER Programme

Bristol Vet Specialists is celebrating the first anniversary of its mitral transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (mTEER) programme, a minimally invasive surgical option for dogs with severe mitral regurgitation secondary to mitral valve disease (MVD).

A major contributor to ill health in older dogs, MVD affects thousands of small-breed dogs across the UK, including Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Whippets, Yorkshire Terriers, Chihuahuas and Bichon Frises.

While the disease course is often benign, approximately one-third of affected dogs will develop more severe disease. Early detection of heart enlargement allows these higher-risk patients to be identified, enabling medical management to slow disease progression. However, once dogs develop signs of congestive heart failure, average survival is reported to be 9–12 months, with a two-year survival rate of approximately 15%. Following mTEER surgery, two-year survival has been reported at 80–100%.

Developed through a collaboration between Bristol Vet Specialists and the Royal Veterinary College, home to the UK’s only veterinary open-heart surgery centre, the mTEER programme teams have operated on 30 dogs since September 2025: 22 at BVS and eight at the RVC. The procedure has proven to be an effective additional treatment option for patients with severe mitral regurgitation.

Over the first year, outcomes have been encouraging, with almost all patients experiencing a reduction in the severity of mitral regurgitation. Most have also demonstrated reduced diuretic requirements and improvements in owner-assessed quality of life following surgery, including reduced coughing and improved breathing rates.

Soft tissue surgeons and cardiologists work together to precisely position the V-clamp device centrally within the mitral valve. High-quality ultrasound imaging is essential for guiding the procedure. The cardiologist uses transoesophageal echocardiography to assess the heart’s anatomy and function and confirm the position of the clamp, making their role as crucial to the success of the surgery as that of the device operators.

Soft tissue and Cardiology surgeons work together to precisely place the V-clamp device centrally in the mitral valve. High quality ultrasound imaging is essential to guiding the procedure, so the cardiologist using trans-oesophageal echo to assess heart anatomy and function, and show clamp position, is as crucial to the surgery success as the device operators.

Recovery following mTEER is typically rapid, with most dogs discharged after two days and requiring approximately eight weeks of exercise restriction. Data from a large TEER centre in the USA show that six out of seven dogs have a good response to surgery by three months. Around 40% of dogs can completely discontinue diuretic therapy following the procedure.

As treatment options for advanced MVD continue to evolve, mTEER offers referring veterinary surgeons an additional minimally invasive option for appropriately selected patients, helping to extend quality of life beyond the limitations of conventional medical management.

Specialist Cardiologist Kieran Borgeat, Head of the Cardiology Service at BVS, commented: “We’re incredibly proud at Bristol Vet Specialists to have led the collaborative efforts behind the UK mTEER programme and to be at the forefront of advancing treatment options for canine heart disease. By working alongside leading institutions and introducing innovative procedures such as mTEER, BVS continues to expand the range of treatment options available to patients while supporting our referring vets, helping to improve outcomes and quality of life for dogs affected by severe mitral valve disease.”

Dogs with known stage B2, C or D MVD may be suitable for mTEER. The first step in the assessment process is a consultation with the BVS Cardiology Department, followed by an evaluation of the mitral valve anatomy using a 3D ultrasound scan.

To find out more about this and other services provided by Bristol Vet Specialists, please visit www.bristolvetspecialists.co.uk.