Prosthetic valve for replacing mitral valve

1. A method of implanting a prosthetic apparatus in a defective native mitral valve without requiring open heart surgery or cardiopulmonary bypass, the method comprising:

advancing a prosthetic apparatus toward a mitral valve annulus, the prosthetic apparatus comprising a main body in a radially compressed state and a valve structure supported within the main body, the prosthetic apparatus further comprising at least one ventricular anchor coupled to the main body and disposed outside the main body;

guiding the ventricular anchor between chordae and behind a native mitral valve leaflet;

rotating the prosthetic apparatus such that the ventricular anchor moves horizontally behind chordae for capturing chordae between the ventricular anchor and the main body; and

allowing the main body to expand from the radially compressed state to a radially expanded state within the mitral valve annulus;

wherein, after implantation, chordae are positioned between the ventricular anchor and the main body for securing the prosthetic apparatus in the mitral valve annulus.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the ventricular anchor extends upwardly from an outflow end of the main body.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the ventricular anchor comprises a vertical leg portion and a horizontal foot portion.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the horizontal foot portion is curved for wrapping around the main body.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the valve structure comprises pericardial tissue.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one ventricular anchor comprises a plurality of ventricular anchors.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the prosthetic apparatus further comprises an atrial sealing member adapted for placement above the mitral valve annulus.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the prosthetic apparatus comprises a shape-memory material.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the prosthetic apparatus is advanced toward the mitral valve annulus using a catheter.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the catheter is steerable.

11. The method of claim 9 , wherein the prosthetic apparatus is advanced using a transatrial approach.

12. The method of claim 9 , wherein the prosthetic apparatus is advanced using a transseptal approach.

13. A method of implanting a prosthetic apparatus in a defective native mitral valve without requiring open heart surgery or cardiopulmonary bypass, the method comprising:

advancing a prosthetic apparatus toward a mitral valve annulus, the prosthetic apparatus comprising a radially collapsible and expandable main body and a valve structure supported within the main body, the prosthetic apparatus further comprising first and second ventricular anchors coupled to the main body and disposed outside the main body;

guiding the first ventricular anchor behind an anterior leaflet of the native mitral valve;

guiding the second ventricular anchor behind a posterior leaflet of the native mitral valve;

rotating the prosthetic apparatus such that portions of the ventricular anchors move horizontally for capturing chordae between the ventricular anchors and the main body; and

allowing the main body to radially expand from a compressed state to an expanded state within the mitral valve annulus.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the first and second ventricular anchors are coupled to an outflow end of the main body.

15. The method of claim 13 , wherein the first and second ventricular anchors each comprises a vertical leg portion and a horizontal foot portion, the horizontal portion terminating in an engagement portion.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the horizontal foot portions wrap around the main body.

17. The method of claim 13 , wherein the valvular structure comprises pericardial tissue.

18. The method of claim 13 , wherein the prosthetic apparatus further comprises an atrial sealing member for placement above the mitral valve annulus.

19. The method of claim 13 , wherein the prosthetic apparatus comprises a shape-memory material.

20. The method of claim 13 , wherein the prosthetic apparatus is advanced across the septum and toward the mitral valve annulus using a catheterization technique.