Methods and devices for improving cardiac function in hearts

Abstract

Various methods and devices are disclosed for improving cardiac function in hearts having zones of infarcted (akinetic) and aneurysmal (dyskinetic) tissue regions. The methods and devices reduce the radius of curvature in walls of the heart proximal infarcted and aneurysmal regions to reduce wall stress and improve pumping efficiency. The inventive methods and related devices include splinting of the chamber wall proximal the infarcted region and various other devices and methods including suture and patch techniques.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of restricting elongation of heart muscle tissue in a wall of a heart having a chamber, the muscle tissue having an epicardium layer, an endocardium layer and a midwall portion between the epicardium and endocardium layers, the epicardium layer, the endocardium layer and the midwall portion extending generally longitudinally to form the wall of the heart, the method comprising: 
 providing a biocompatible and implantable elongate member, elongate in a longitudinal direction, the elongate member being bendable under normal heart pumping action and being sufficiently resistant to elongation in the longitudinal direction such that natural stretching of the heart wall does not cause elongation of the elongate member; and    connecting the elongate member to the heart wall to inhibit elongation of the heart muscle tissue adjacent the elongate member.