Patent ID: 8579966

Claim:
A prosthetic cardiac valve assembly comprising: a) a replacement valve comprising: a plurality of leaflets configured to permit blood to selectively flow therethrough; and a plurality of commissure points from which the replacement valve is suspended; b) a valve support connected to the replacement valve and configured to be collapsible for trans luminal delivery, said valve support having an axial length sufficient to extend, when implanted, from a position of a native annulus, past the replacement valve, past the commissure points, and past the patient's coronary ostia, and into an ascending aorta; wherein outer circumference of the valve support varies along at least some portions of the axial length; wherein the valve support further comprises: a first section terminating in a first end, said first end comprising an outer circumference having a first diameter, said first section configured to engage the native annulus; and a second section terminating in a second end, said second end comprising an outer circumference having a second diameter, said second section configured to extend past the coronary ostia and into the ascending aorta, wherein the second circumference is greater than the first circumference.