Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument (20, 120, 220, 420, 620, 720) is provided for excising a segment of a heart valve leaflet, the electrosurgical instrument including a delivery shaft (26, 426) supporting a first jaw (24A, 124A, 224A, 424A, 624A) and a second jaw (24B, 124B, 224B, 424B, 624B), which together are configured to assume (i) an open position, in which the first and the second jaws are spaced apart to allow insertion of a portion of the leaflet therebetween, and (ii) a closed position, in which the first and the second jaws sandwich the inserted leaflet portion. The electrosurgical instrument (20, 120, 220, 420, 620, 720) also includes first and second electrically insulated wire portions (34A, 734A, 34B, 734B) and, longitudinally therebetween, an electrically exposed cutting portion (36, 736).