SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR LACERATING HEART VALVE LEAFLETS

Abstract

A system for lacerating heart valve leaflets includes a coronary guidewire and a laceration device including an ablative cutting element. A system may include a first guidewire for insertion into a left ventricle and a guide catheter configured to translate along the first guidewire. The guide catheter may include a steering element configured to direct the coronary guidewire toward the coronary artery. The laceration device cooperates with the coronary guidewire to align the ablative cutting element with a nadir of a heart valve leaflet. A method of lacerating heart valve leaflets includes advancing the coronary guidewire into a coronary artery, translating the laceration device along the coronary guidewire to a position adjacent a heart valve leaflet, positioning the ablative cutting element in contact with a nadir of the heart valve leaflet, and lacerating the heart valve leaflet from the nadir to a free edge of the heart valve leaflet.

CPC Classifications