Method and apparatus for improving mitral valve function

A method for reducing mitral regurgitation, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a flexible carrier having a plurality of lumens extending lengthwise therethrough;
• advancing an electrical lead through the vascular system of a patient until a distal end of the electrical lead is disposed in the coronary sinus of the patient, and advancing a guidewire through the vascular system of a patient until a distal end of the guidewire is disposed in the coronary sinus of the patient;
• advancing the carrier over the electrical lead and the guidewire until a distal end of the carrier is disposed in the coronary sinus;
• and
• advancing a plurality of straightening rods into the plurality of lumens so as to exert a straightening force on the carrier and thereby on the coronary sinus to move the annulus of the mitral valve anteriorly, whereby to reduce mitral regurgitation.

A method for reducing mitral regurgitation, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a flexible carrier having a plurality of lumens extending lengthwise therethrough;
• advancing an electrical lead through the vascular system of a patient until a distal end of the electrical lead is disposed in the coronary sinus of the patient;
• advancing the carrier over the electrical lead until a distal end of the carrier is disposed in the coronary sinus;
• and
• advancing a plurality of straightening rods into the plurality of lumens so as to exert a straightening force on the carrier and thereby on the coronary sinus to move the annulus of the mitral valve anteriorly, whereby to reduce mitral regurgitation.

A method for reducing mitral regurgitation, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a flexible carrier having a plurality of lumens extending lengthwise therethrough;
• advancing the carrier through the vascular system of a patient until a distal end of the carrier is disposed in the coronary sinus;
• advancing an electrical lead through the carrier until the distal end of the electrical lead is disposed in the coronary sinus of the patient;
• and
• advancing a plurality of straightening rods into the plurality of lumens so as to exert a straightening force on the carrier and thereby on the coronary sinus to move the annulus of the mitral valve anteriorly, whereby to reduce mitral regurgitation.

A method for reducing mitral regurgitation, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a flexible carrier having a plurality of lumens extending lengthwise therethrough, and an electrical lead extending through a lumen;
• advancing the carrier through the vascular system of a patient until a distal end of the carrier is disposed in the coronary sinus, and positioning the electrical lead in heart tissue;
• and
• advancing a plurality of straightening rods into the plurality of lumens so as to exert a straightening force on the carrier and thereby on the coronary sinus to move the annulus of the mitral valve anteriorly, whereby to reduce mitral regurgitation.