CPC A61F 2/2409 (2013.01) [A61F 2/2418 (2013.01); A61F 2/2448 (2013.01); A61F 2/2412 (2013.01); A61F 2/2433 (2013.01); A61F 2210/0014 (2013.01); A61F 2220/0025 (2013.01); A61F 2230/0054 (2013.01); A61F 2250/006 (2013.01); A61F 2250/0063 (2013.01); A61F 2250/0096 (2013.01)] | 21 Claims |
1. A method of securing a transcatheter heart valve within an annuloplasty ring that is D-shaped, the annuloplasty ring defining a D-shaped inner space and a central flow axis defining an upstream direction and a downstream direction, the downstream direction corresponding to the direction of blood flow from an upstream portion through a downstream portion of the annuloplasty ring, the method comprising steps of:
providing a collapsible spacer ring having an inner shaft adapted to receive the transcatheter heart valve, the spacer ring being oriented in the upstream and downstream directions when the spacer ring is implanted within the annuloplasty ring, the spacer ring having a D-shaped outer periphery when expanded while the inner shaft is cylindrical;
collapsing the spacer ring to a reduced diameter;
coupling the reduced diameter spacer ring to a distal end portion of an elongate catheter;
advancing the elongate catheter through a patient's vasculature and delivering the spacer ring into position within the D-shaped inner space of the annuloplasty ring;
expanding the spacer ring within the D-shaped inner space of the annuloplasty ring such that the D-shaped outer periphery conforms to the D-shaped inner space, the spacer ring inner shaft sized to provide a cylindrical engagement surface for securing the transcatheter heart valve therein; and
expanding the transcatheter heart valve within the annuloplasty ring, the transcatheter heart valve securing to the engagement surface of the inner shaft of the spacer ring.
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