Devices and methods for cardiac annulus stabilization and treatment

Abstract

Devices and methods generally provide enhanced stabilization, exposure and/or treatment of a cardiac valve annulus. Methods generally involve introducing a stabilizing member beneath one or more leaflets of a heart valve to engage the annulus at an intersection between the leaflets and the interior ventricular wall of the heart. Force is then applied to the stabilizing member to stabilize and/or expose the valve annulus. In some embodiments, the stabilizing member may include a series of hydraulically driven tethered anchors, such as hooks or clips, for engaging and cinching valve annulus tissue to decrease the diameter of a regurgitant valve. Alternatively, other treatments may be delivered by a stabilizing member, such as radiofrequency energy, drugs, bulking agents or shape memory stents. A second stabilizing member may also be introduced above the leaflets for further stabilization.