Quick-connect prosthetic heart valve and methods

A method of delivery and implant of a prosthetic heart valve system, comprising:

• advancing a base stent to an implant position adjacent a heart valve annulus;
• anchoring the base stent to the heart valve annulus;
• providing a valve component including a prosthetic valve having a non-expandable, non-collapsible orifice, the valve component further including an expandable coupling stent extending from an inflow end thereof, the coupling stent having a contracted state for delivery to an implant position and an expanded state configured for outward connection to the base stent;
• advancing the valve component with the coupling stent in its contracted state to an implant position adjacent the base stent;
• and
• expanding the coupling stent to the expanded state in contact with and connected to the base stent.

A system for delivering a prosthetic heart valve, comprising:

• a valve component including a prosthetic valve having a non-expandable, non-collapsible orifice, the valve component further including an expandable coupling stent extending from an inflow end thereof, the coupling stent having a contracted state for delivery to an implant position and an expanded state;
• a valve holder connected to a proximal end of the valve component;
• a balloon catheter having a balloon;
• and
• a handle configured to attach to a proximal end of the valve holder and having a lumen for passage of the catheter, the balloon extending distally through the handle, past the holder and through the valve component.