A blood flow regulator for creating a shunt in the heart, comprising； a proximal element having a general disc-shape, defined by a braid of one or more wires extending about a central aperture of the proximal element； a distal element having a general disc-shape, defined by a braid of one or more wires extending about a central aperture of the distal element； and a third element defining a neck section intermediate the proximal and distal elements and forming a cavity having a diameter no greater than a diameter of each of the distal and proximal elements, wherein said distal element comprises at least one loop of a wire extending radially outwardly from a center of the distal element and returning towards said center of said distal element.
