Transvalvular intraannular band for valve repair

A method of treating a mitral valve, comprising the steps of:

• providing a transannular band having a convex side and a projection extending from the convex side;
• securing the band to a valve annulus such that the convex side extends across the plane of the annulus in the direction of the ventricle, and the projection extends in a downstream blood flow direction, so that a first leaflet closes against a first side of the projection and a second leaflet closes against a second side of the projection.

A method of moving mitral valve leaflet coaption to an earlier point in the cardiac cycle, comprising the steps of:

• providing an intraannular, transvalvular band dimensioned for attachment within the plane of the mitral valve annulus;
• attaching the band within the plane of the annulus such that a portion of the band extends into the ventricular side of the plane to support the leaflets and elevate the position of the coaptive edges in the direction of the ventricle during valve closure.