초록

A protective device or bridge (20) comprising a central arch (24) is suitable to be placed between an annuplasty device placed in the coronary sinus and an underlying coronary artery to inhibit transmission of compressive force on the coronary artery by the annuplasty device.

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1. A method of repairing a mitral valve in a patient, the method comprising: placing a circumferential annuloplasty tensioning element at least partially through a coronary sinus and over a coronary artery, wherein the circumferential annuloplasty tensioning element exerts compressive force on the c

1. A method of repairing a mitral valve in a patient, the method comprising: placing a circumferential annuloplasty tensioning element at least partially through a coronary sinus and over a coronary artery, wherein the circumferential annuloplasty tensioning element exerts compressive force on the coronary artery;determining where the coronary sinus passes over the coronary artery;interposing a protective support between the circumferential annuloplasty tensioning element and the coronary artery; andplacing the circumferential annuloplasty tensioning element under tension, wherein the protective support comprises a central arch comprising shape memory material and is of sufficient rigidity and dimensions to inhibit application of pressure to the coronary artery when the circumferential annuloplasty tensioning element is placed under tension during mitral repair, thereby protecting the coronary artery. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein determining where the coronary sinus passes over the coronary artery comprises performing angiography of the coronary artery and optionally the coronary sinus if needed. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein placing the circumferential annuloplasty tensioning element at least partially through the coronary sinus comprises: introducing the circumferential annuloplasty tensioning element into the coronary sinus through a transvascular catheter. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein placing the circumferential annuloplasty tensioning element at least partially through the coronary sinus comprises advancing an endovascular catheter through the vascular system of the patient to the heart, and introducing the circumferential annuloplasty tensioning element from the endovascular catheter antegrade into the coronary sinus through a coronary sinus ostium or retrograde through a cerclage annuloplasty trajectory. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein interposing the protective support between the circumferential annuloplasty tensioning element and the coronary artery comprises interposing the protective support device from the endovascular catheter antegrade into the coronary sinus through the coronary sinus ostium or retrograde through the cerclage annuloplasty trajectory. 6. The method of claim 3, wherein the circumferential annuloplasty tensioning element is a ligature. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the ligature comprises suture material. 8. The method claim 3, wherein interposing the protective support between the circumferential annuloplasty tensioning element and the coronary artery comprises placing the protective support on the circumferential annuloplasty tensioning element over the coronary artery. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein placing the circumferential annuloplasty tensioning element at least partially through the coronary sinus and over a coronary artery comprises: percutaneously inserting a guiding catheter into a vasculature of the patient, wherein the guiding catheter has a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen;advancing the distal end of the guiding catheter through the vasculature to position the distal end of the guiding catheter adjacent the coronary sinus; and(a) advancing a wire through the catheter into the coronary sinus to a coronary vein branch wherein the coronary vein branch comprises a proximal septal perforator vein, and then across myocardial or fibrous tissue of the heart to the right atrium or right ventricle;exchanging the wire to introduce tensioning material through the coronary sinus, and applying tension on the tensioning material to alter the shape of the mitral valve and reduce mitral regurgitation; or(b) advancing a wire through the catheter into the coronary sinus to a coronary vein branch wherein the coronary vein branch comprises an anterolateral cardiac vein, and then across myocardial or fibrous tissue of the heart through the left ventricular chamber, and further across myocardium into the right ventricular or right atrial cavity;exchanging the wire to introduce tensioning material through the coronary sinus, and applying tension on the tensioning material to alter the shape of the mitral valve and reduce unwanted cardiac remodeling or valvular regurgitation. 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising determining where the tensioning material in the coronary sinus passes over the coronary artery, and advancing the protective support through the guiding catheter to position it between the tensioning material and the coronary artery. 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the circumferential annuloplasty element extends in an annuloplasty plane that is tilted toward the ventricular outflow tract as compared to a mitral valve annuloplasty plane. 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the central arch is between a proximal end and a distal end of the protective support, and the proximal and distal ends form stabilizers that generally conform to a wall of the coronary sinus and retain the protective support in position over the coronary artery. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the stabilizers are stabilizing feet. 14. The method of claim 1, wherein the central arch bridges a linear distance at its base of about 0.5 inches to about 0.6 inches. 15. The method of claim 1, wherein the central arch bridges a linear distance at its base of from about 0.52 inches to about 0.55 inches. 16. The method of claim 1, wherein the central arch bridges a linear distance at its base of about 0.536 inches. 17. The method of claim 1, wherein the central arch is about 0.15 inches to about 0.16 inches high. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the central arch is about 0.1545 inches high. 19. The method of claim 1, wherein the protective support is tubular, has a first end, a second end, and a central portion, has an outer diameter from about 0.04 to about 0.05 inches, and an inner diameter from about 0.025 inches to about 0.035 inches along its entire length. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the protective support outer diameter is about 0.045 inches along its entire length, and the diameter of the inner lumen is from about 0.025 inches to about 0.035 inches along its entire length. 21. The method of claim 19, wherein a distance between the first end and the second end is about 0.536 inches, the height of the central portion is about 0.1545 inches, the outer diameter is about 0.045 inches, and the inner diameter is about 0.030 inches. 22. The method of claim 1, wherein the shape memory material comprises nitinol.