Cardiac prosthesis for helping improve operation of a heart valve

摘要

An apparatus for helping improve operation of a heart valve includes a generally annular base and a buttress extending generally axially from and inwardly relative to an arc portion of the base. When the apparatus is when implanted at an annulus of a heart valve, the buttress thereof provides a surface with which a leaflet of the heart valve may move into and out of engagement for helping control blood flow relative to the apparatus and heart valve.