A clip (100, 200, 900, 1000, 1100, 1200) for repairing a cardiac valve includes an elongated body (102, 202, 902, 1132, 1202, 1302) and a locking mechanism (110, 1110, 1210, 1310). The elongated body has first and second ends and is adapted to change between an open condition and a closed condition. The locking mechanism is adapted to lock the elongated body in the closed condition. The locking mechanism may include interengaging teeth (116, 118； 212, 214) on the first end (1104, 1204, 1304) and second end (1106, 1206, 1306) of the body. Alternatively, the locking mechanism may include a return (1121, 1212, 1312) on the first end of the body sized to overlap with the second end of the body in the closed condition.
