Heart valve prosthesis and suturing assembly and method of implanting a heart valve prosthesis in a heart

摘要

A heart valve prosthesis removably mounted on a suturing assembly. The suturing assembly has an annular sleeve carrying a fabric collar. Sutures secure the collar to heart tissue. The heart valve has a base that is removably mounted on the annular sleeve. The suturing assembly is initially secured to the heart tissue. The heart valve base is then attached to the sleeve and locked in place. If a replacement valve is necessary, the heart valve prosthesis is removed from the sleeve without detaching the suturing assembly from the heart tissue. A new heart valve prosthesis is then mounted on the suturing assembly.