Devices and methods for improving the function of a valve (e.g., mitral
valve) by positioning a spacing filling device outside and adjacent the
heart wall such that the device applies an inward force against the heart
wall acting on the valve. A substantially equal and opposite force may be
provided by securing the device to the heart wall, and/or a substantially
equal and opposite outward force may be applied against anatomical
structure outside the heart wall. The inward force is sufficient to
change the function of the valve, and may increase coaptation of the
leaflets, for example. The space filling device may be implanted by a
surgical approach, a transthoracic approach, or a transluminal approach,
for example. The space filling portion may be delivered utilizing a
delivery catheter navigated via the selected approach, and the space
filling portion may be expandable between a smaller delivery
configuration and a larger deployed configuration.