Patent ID: 8398707

Claim:
A method of installing a prosthetic valve in a patient, the prosthetic valve having a stent comprising a stent base and multiple commissure posts projecting from the stent base, the method comprising the steps of: providing a valve holder comprising a base portion and a handle extending from the base portion, a plurality of legs radially extending from the base portion, and a plurality of commissure post engaging members, each of which is slideably engaged with one of the plurality of legs, wherein at least one of the legs comprises (i) a first prong portion spaced apart from a second prong portion by a gap distance, and (ii) at least one of the plurality of commissure post engaging members slideably moveable along the leg between fixed positions, the fixed positions being defined by spaced apertures on the at least one of the plurality of commisure post engaging members that cooperate with a tab portion of at least one of the first and second prong portions, wherein the at least one plurality of commissure post engaging members moves the first and second prong portions relative to each other during sliding movement along the leg; attaching each of the commissure post engaging members to one of the multiple commissure posts of the stent with the commissure post engaging members in a first position; sliding each of the commissure post engaging members on its respective leg to a second position, wherein the commissure posts are deflected inwardly as compared to the first position; positioning the valve holder with the attached prosthetic valve at an implantation site of a patient; and suturing the prosthetic valve to tissue of the patient.