Percutaneous aortic valve

1. A valve configured for insertion on the proximal and distal sides of a heart valve annulus to replace the heart valve of a patient, the valve comprising:

a first substantially annular portion adapted to be positioned on a first side of the annulus of a patient;

a second substantially annular portion adapted to be positioned on a second side of the annulus of a patient, at least one of the first and second substantially annular portions being movable towards the other portion to a clamped position to clamp around the annulus, the second substantially annular portion having a flow restricting portion extending therefrom and movable between a first position to permit the flow of blood and a second position to restrict the flow of blood, a suture joining the first and second portions wherein tensioning of the suture draws the first and second portions to the clamped position and a cinch member positioned on the suture and connected to the second portion to retain the suture and the first and second portions in the clamped position.

2. A replacement cardiac valve implantation system comprising:

a valve comprising a moving member, a first wire element having a first ring-like portion and a second separate wire element having a ring-like portion and a replacement valve extending therefrom, at least the first ring like portion being selectively and relatively movable towards and away from the second ring-like portion to selectively adjust the spacing between the first and second wire elements;

a delivery member for introducing the wire elements into a patient's body such that the first ring like portion is placed on a first side of the annulus and the second ring like portion with replacement valve is placed on the a second side of the annulus, the moving member moving the first and second ring like portions in closer proximity to secure the valve in a clamped position around the annulus.

3. The valve of claim 2 , wherein the valve comprises a plurality of leaflets extending from the second portion in a direction away from the first portion, the leaflets extending circumferentially around the second portion and foldable inwardly towards a convergence region at the midpoint of the second portion so the convergence region is concentric with the second portion to restrict blood flow.

4. The valve of claim 2 , wherein the valve comprises a plurality of leaflets extending from the second portion in a direction away from the first portion, the leaflets extending circumferentially around the second portion and foldable inwardly towards a convergence region offset from a midpoint of the second portion so the convergence region is eccentric with the second portion to restrict blood flow.

5. The valve of claim 2 , wherein the valve includes a plurality of spaced apart leaflets extending from the second portion in a direction away from the first portion, the leaflets extending circumferentially around the second portion and foldable inwardly to restrict blood flow, the flow restricting portion further including a membrane joining adjacent leaflets to cooperate with the leaflets to restrict blood flow when the leaflets are in the closed position.

6. The valve of claim 5 , wherein the leaflets have a thicker portion at a portion closer to the second portion and the membrane has a thinner portion at a portion further from the second portion.

7. The valve of claim 2 , wherein the valve includes a plurality of foldable leaflets, a portion of adjacent leaflets overlapping in the closed position to restrict blood flow.

8. The valve of claim 2 , wherein the first and second wire elements are composed of shape memory material.

9. The valve of claim 8 , wherein the moving member comprises a suture for tensioning the first and second wire elements.