SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TRANSAPICAL DELIVERY OF AN ANNULUS ANCHORED SELF-EXPANDING VALVE

摘要

A prosthetic valve assembly for use in replacing a deficient native valve comprises a replacement valve (820) supported on an expandable prosthesis frame. The valve (820) may be delivered transluminally or transmyocardially using a thorascopic or other limited access approach using a delivery catheter (920). Preferably, the initial partial expansion of the valve (820) is performed against the native valve annulus (916) to provide adequate anchoring and positioning of the valve (820) as the remaining portions of the valve (820) expand. The valve (820) may be be delivered using a retrograde or antegrade approach. When delivered using a retrograde approach, a delivery catheter (920) with a pull-back sheath (922) may be used, while antegrade delivery is preferably performed with a delivery catheter (920) with a push- forward sheath (922) that releases the proximal end of the valve (820) first.