Methods and devices for modulation of heart valve function

Abstract

Methods and devices for modulating heart valve function are provided. In the subject methods, a heart valve is first in structurally modified. Blood flow through the structurally modified heart valve is then monitored, and the heart is paced in response to the monitored blood flow. Also provided are devices, systems and kits that find use in practicing the subject methods. The subject methods find use in a variety of applications.

1 . A method of modulating the function of a cardiac valve in a heart, said method comprising:
 structurally altering said cardiac valve;   monitoring blood flow through said structurally altered cardiac valve;and   pacing said heart in response to said monitoring to modulate function of said cardiac valve.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said modulating results in an improvement in said cardiac valve function. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein said cardiac valve is a mitral valve. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 3 , wherein said structurally altering comprises performing an annuloplasty procedure on said mitral valve. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein said annuloplasty procedure employs an implantable annuloplasty device. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein said annuloplasty device is an interstitial device. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said monitoring employs an implanted blood flow velocity measuring device. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein said blood flow velocity measuring device is a sonic device. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein said blood flow velocity measuring device is an optical device. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein said blood flow velocity measuring device is a thermal device. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein said blood flow velocity measuring device is an electromagnetic device. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein said blood flow velocity measuring device is in operational communication with an implanted cardiac pacing device. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein said blood flow velocity measuring device is integrated with an implantable annuloplasty device employed in said structural modification step (a). 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein said blood flow velocity measuring device is an electromagnetic device. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said pacing is epicardial pacing. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said method is a method of improving function of a mitral valve, wherein said method comprises structurally altering said mitral valve by employing an interstitial annuloplasty device; wherein said monitoring comprises employing an electromagnetic blood flow velocity measurement element integrated with said interstitial annuloplasty device, wherein said blood flow velocity measuring device is in operational communication with an implanted cardiac pacing device that paces said heart according to step (c). 
     
     
         17 . A system for modulating the function of a cardiac valve in a heart, said system comprising:
 an implantable device for structurally altering a cardiac valve;   an implantable blood flow velocity measurement device for monitoring blood flow through a cardiac valve; and   a cardiac pacing device in operational communication with said blood flow velocity measurement device.   
     
     
         18 . The system according to  claim 17 , wherein said cardiac valve is a mitral valve. 
     
     
         19 . The system according to  claim 17 , wherein said implantable device is an annuloplasty device. 
     
     
         20 . The system according to  claim 19 , wherein said annuloplasty device is a surgically implanted device. 
     
     
         21 . The system according to  claim 20 , wherein said annuloplasty device is an interstitial device. 
     
     
         22 . The system according to  claim 17 , wherein said blood flow velocity measuring device is a sonic device. 
     
     
         23 . The system according to  claim 17 , wherein said blood flow velocity measuring device is an optical device. 
     
     
         24 . The system according to  claim 17 , wherein said blood flow velocity measuring device is a thermal device. 
     
     
         25 . The system according to  claim 17 , wherein said blood flow velocity measuring device is an electromagnetic device. 
     
     
         26 . The system according to  claim 17 , wherein said blood flow velocity measuring device is integrated with said implantable device for structurally altering a cardiac valve.