Unitary quick-connect prosthetic heart valve deployment methods

A method of delivery and implant of a prosthetic heart valve to an aortic annulus, comprising:

• preparing for implant a heart valve including a prosthetic valve having a non-expandable, non-collapsible orifice and flexible occluding leaflets, the heart valve further including an expandable coupling stent connected to and 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 aortic annulus, wherein a valve holder is mounted to the heart valve, the step of preparing including assembling to the valve holder a sleeve that extends between and parts the flexible leaflets, the sleeve having a throughbore;
• connecting a delivery handle having a lumen to the valve holder and sleeve assembly such that the lumen aligns with the sleeve throughbore;
• advancing the heart valve with the coupling stent in its contracted state to an implant position adjacent the aortic annulus;
• advancing a balloon of a balloon catheter through the lumen of the handle and through the sleeve throughbore to a position within the coupling stent;
• and
• inflating the balloon to expand the coupling stent into contact with the aortic annulus.