MitraClip could save millions from open-heart surgery

Mitraclip, a tiny new medical clip, could save millions from open-heart surgery, according to doctors.

In fact, hollywood veteran Elizabeth Taylor told her Twitter followers that she received the Mitraclip, a small device that fixes leaky heart valves.

It is believed that the clip could be far safer than surgery and nearly as effective.

A study presented at the American college of cardiology conference found six times more people who had surgery suffered major complications than those who got the clip.

The MitraClip is already on sale in Europe and manufacturer Abbott Laboratories hopes to win approval to start selling it in the US next year.

Taylor, 77, who Twitters as DameElizabeth, told fans in October that she was getting the procedure.

"It's very new and involves repairing my leaky valve using a clip device, without open heart surgery," the New York Daily News quoted her as saying.

She even asked for "any prayers you happen to have lying around."

Later, she tweeted, "My heart procedure went off perfectly. It's like having a brand new ticker."