COLLAPSIBLE/EXPANDABLE PROSTHETIC HEART VALVES WITH NATIVE CALCIFIED LEAFLET RETENTION FEATURES

摘要

A prosthetic heart valve includes an annular frame that is adapted for (1) delivery into a patient's native heart valve annulus in a circumferentially collapsed condition, and (2) circumferential re-expansion when in the annulus, the frame, in an expanded condition. The frame having a longitudinal axis, an inflow end and an outflow end, a first portion of the frame adjacent the inflow end inclining radially outwardly in a direction toward the inflow end, and a second portion of the frame between the first portion and the outflow end bulging radially outwardly, the second portion of the frame being positioned between a first axial distance from the inflow end and a second axial distance from the inflow end. The frame also includes a plurality of commissure members. The heart valve further includes a flexible leaflet structure disposed in the frame.