Patent ID: 8475525

Claim:
A method, comprising: implanting at least a first tissue-engaging element in a first portion of tissue in a vicinity of a tricuspid valve of a patient; implanting at least a second tissue-engaging element in a portion of a blood vessel selected from the group of blood vessels consisting of: a superior vena cava and an inferior vena cava; and drawing at least a first leaflet of the tricuspid valve toward at least a second leaflet of the tricuspid valve by performing a tensioning method selected from the group consisting of: (a) adjusting a distance between the portion of the blood vessel and the first tissue portion, and maintaining the adjusted distance using tension applied to the first tissue-engaging element and the second tissue-engaging element by a longitudinal member that connects the first and the second tissue-engaging elements, and (b) adjusting the distance between the portion of the blood vessel and the first tissue portion by applying tension to the first tissue-engaging element and the second tissue-engaging element using the longitudinal member.