APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR REPLACING A CARDIAC VALVE

摘要

An apparatus for replacing a cardiac valve having at least two native valve leaflets includes an expandable support member (32) with oppositely disposed first and second ends and a main body portion extending between the ends. The first and second ends respectively include a plurality of upper and lower wing members (48, 56) respectively having first and second magnetic components. The wing members extend from the main body portion and are spaced circumf erentially thereabout. Secured within the main body portion is a prosthetic valve having at least two valve leaflets. The second end further includes at least two strut members spaced apart from each other and attached to at least one commissural section of the prosthetic valve. The magnetic components (50, 58) are magnetically attracted to one another so that, when the apparatus is placed in the valve annulus, the wing members are pulled toward one another to secure the prosthetic valve in the annulus .