CPC A61F 2/2433 (2013.01) [A61F 2/2436 (2013.01); A61M 25/0136 (2013.01); A61M 25/0662 (2013.01); A61F 2/958 (2013.01); A61F 2/9517 (2020.05); A61M 25/005 (2013.01); A61M 25/0045 (2013.01); A61M 25/0147 (2013.01); A61M 39/0613 (2013.01)] | 21 Claims |
1. A method of implanting a prosthetic heart valve within a stenotic native aortic valve, comprising:
inserting a distal end portion of a delivery apparatus into a femoral artery, the delivery apparatus comprising a handle, a first shaft extending from the handle, a second shaft disposed around the first shaft and terminating at a free distal end, and a third shaft extending coaxially through the second shaft, wherein a valve cover is provided along a distal end portion of the first shaft, the valve cover having a first position extending over an entirety of a prosthetic heart valve for retaining the prosthetic heart valve in a radially compressed state;
advancing the distal end portion of the delivery apparatus through the femoral artery, an iliac artery, and an aorta for positioning the valve cover and the prosthetic heart valve within the native aortic valve; and
moving the first shaft and the valve cover longitudinally relative to the prosthetic heart valve to a second position in which the entirety of the prosthetic heart valve is uncovered, thereby allowing the prosthetic heart valve to self-expand from a radially compressed state to a radially expanded state;
wherein an entirety of the valve cover has an outer diameter greater than an inner diameter of the second shaft and wherein the entire valve cover is always positioned distal to the free distal end of the second shaft.
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