Abstract: Techniques are described for use with one or more sutures. For some applications, techniques are described for fixedly-coupling two or more sutures to each other. For some applications, such techniques are used for treating a heart valve of a subject. Techniques are also described for treating a heart valve of a subject by coupling leaflets of the heart valve to a support using tissue-piercing elements. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided that includes first and second tissue-engaging elements, and first and second flexible longitudinal members, coupled at respective first end portions thereof to the first and the second tissue-engaging elements, respectively. The apparatus further includes a first flexible-longitudinal-member-coupling element coupled to a second end portion of the first flexible longitudinal member, a second flexible-longitudinal-member-coupling element coupled to a second end portion of the second flexible longitudinal member, and a flexible longitudinal guide member reversibly coupled to the first flexible-longitudinal-member-coupling element. The first and second flexible-longitudinal-member-coupling elements are configured to be couplable together to couple together the first and the second flexible longitudinal elements. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Techniques are described for use with one or more sutures. For some applications, techniques are described for fixedly-coupling two or more sutures to each other. For some applications, such techniques are used for treating a heart valve of a subject. Techniques are also described for treating a heart valve of a subject by coupling leaflets of the heart valve to a support using tissue-piercing elements. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A method is provided, including implanting at least a first tissue-engaging element in a first portion of tissue in a vicinity of a heart valve of a patient, implanting at least a second tissue-engaging element in a portion of a blood vessel that is in contact with an atrium of a heart of the patient, and drawing at least a first leaflet of the valve toward at least a second leaflet of the valve by adjusting a distance between the portion of the blood vessel and the first portion of tissue in the vicinity of the heart valve of the patient. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided including a stent, which is configured to assume compressed and expanded states. The stent includes one or more elongated members, and two or more rings, which are coupled together by the one or more elongated members and by no other elements of the stent. The rings define respective planes that are generally perpendicular to the elongated members when the stent is in its expanded state. A longitudinal member, having a proximal end and a distal end, is coupled to the stent at the proximal end of the longitudinal member. A tissue anchor is coupled to the distal end of the longitudinal member. Other applications are also described.