EXPANDABLE EPICARDIAL PADS AND DEVICES AND METHODS FOR DELIVERY OF SAME

摘要

Apparatus and methods are described herein for use in the delivery of a prosthetic mitral valve. In some embodiments, a method includes after deploying a prosthetic mitral valve within a mitral annulus of a heart, inserting a delivery sheath into the patients body and disposing a distal end near the apex of the heart. A tissue dilator device can be inserted through a lumen of the delivery sheath and used to dilate tissue near the apex of the heart to create space for an epicardial pad device. After dilating the tissue, the tissue dilator device can be removed and an epicardial pad device can be attached to a tether extending from the prosthetic valve. The pad can be secured at the apex of the heart to secure the prosthetic valve and tether in a desired position. In some embodiments, the epicardial pad device can be an expandable epicardial pad device.