A system for transitioning an implantable medical device from an uncompressed arrangement to a compressed arrangement, the device comprising: an inflow loading assembly configured to compress an inflow portion of the implantable medical device as the implantable medical device is advanced through the inflow loading assembly; and an outflow loading assembly removably coupled to the inflow loading assembly, wherein: the outflow loading assembly is configured to partially compress an outflow portion of the implantable medical device during coupling to the inflow loading assembly, and the inflow loading assembly comprises one or more biasing features (150, 226, 326) that are configured to asymmetrically compress the inflow portion of the implantable medical device by biasing structural components of the implantable medical device inwards in predefined areas; wherein the inflow loading assembly comprises a first portion (206, 306) and a second portion (208, 308) extending therefrom, and wherein at least one of the first portion or the second portion comprises the one or more biasing features; and wherein at least one of the first portion or the second portion is formed having a non-circular cross-section that provides a non-uniform compression force. an inflow loading assembly configured to compress an inflow portion of the implantable medical device as the implantable medical device is advanced through the inflow loading assembly; and an outflow loading assembly removably coupled to the inflow loading assembly, wherein: the outflow loading assembly is configured to partially compress an outflow portion of the implantable medical device during coupling to the inflow loading assembly, and the inflow loading assembly comprises one or more biasing features (150, 226, 326) that are configured to asymmetrically compress the inflow portion of the implantable medical device by biasing structural components of the implantable medical device inwards in predefined areas; wherein the inflow loading assembly comprises a first portion (206, 306) and a second portion (208, 308) extending therefrom, and wherein at least one of the first portion or the second portion comprises the one or more biasing features; and wherein at least one of the first portion or the second portion is formed having a non-circular cross-section that provides a non-uniform compression force. the outflow loading assembly is configured to partially compress an outflow portion of the implantable medical device during coupling to the inflow loading assembly, and the inflow loading assembly comprises one or more biasing features (150, 226, 326) that are configured to asymmetrically compress the inflow portion of the implantable medical device by biasing structural components of the implantable medical device inwards in predefined areas; wherein the inflow loading assembly comprises a first portion (206, 306) and a second portion (208, 308) extending therefrom, and wherein at least one of the first portion or the second portion comprises the one or more biasing features; and wherein at least one of the first portion or the second portion is formed having a non-circular cross-section that provides a non-uniform compression force.