| abstract |
Apparatus, systems, and methods are provided for repairing heart valves through percutaneous transcatheter delivery and fixation of annuloplasty rings to heart valves via a trans-apical approach to accessing the heart. A guiding sheath may be introduced into a ventricle of the heart through an access site at an apex of the heart. A distal end of the guiding sheath can be positioned retrograde through the target valve. An annuloplasty ring arranged in a compressed delivery geometry is advanced through the guiding sheath and into a distal portion of the guiding sheath positioned within the atrium of the heart. The distal end of the guiding sheath is retracted, thereby exposing the annuloplasty ring. The annuloplasty ring may be expanded from the delivery geometry to an operable geometry. Anchors on the annuloplasty ring may be deployed to press into and engage tissue of the annulus of the target valve. |