HEART VALVE CHORDAE REPLACEMENT METHODS AND APPARATUS

摘要

Apparatus (10) for attaching a prosthetic tether (130) between a leaflet of a patient's heart valve and another portion of the patient's heart to help prevent prolapse of the leaflet and/or to otherwise improve leaflet function. The apparatus can be used with relatively low invasiveness of the patient's body. The apparatus releasably clamps the leaflet during attachment of the tether to the leaflet. The apparatus may include an integrated display (60) for indicating how extensively the leaflet is being clamped. The apparatus may include structure (80) for stabilizing the leaflet for better clamping. The apparatus may enter the heart through an aperture in the wall of the heart, and may include structure (50) for helping to reduce blood leakage from that aperture. The apparatus may be able to enter the heart by following a guide wire (14). The apparatus may include various means for attaching the tether to the leaflet.