The invention is directed to a minimally invasive therapeutic procedure, particularly for patients with congestive heart failure, and devices and systems for such procedures. this procedure involves providing a valved passageway through the patient's left ventricular wall at the apex of the patient's heart and advancing instruments through the valved passageway to connect the valve leaflets of the patient's heart valve, e.g. the mitral valve, in a "Bow-Tie" configuration to prevent or minimize regurgitation through the valve. Improved devices for this procedure include a minimally invasive grasping device having an inner lumen for advancing connecting members and other instruments through the device to the distal end thereof. Other improved instruments include a leaflet connector with an artificial cordae tendenae strand secured to an end of the leaflet connector.Improved devices for these procedures include a minimally invasive grasping device having an inner lumen for advancing connecting members and other instruments through the device to the distal end thereof. Other improved devices include a pacing lead implant instrument which is releasably secured by its distal end to the exposed heart wall to facilitate penetration of the pacing lead electrode into the heart wall. Other improved instruments include a leaflet connector with an artificial cordae tendenae strand secured to an end of the leaflet connector.