Biologically implantable prosthesis and methods of using the same

摘要

A method of using a prosthetic heart valve assembly can include implanting a first prosthesis directly into a native annulus. The first prosthesis can have a central longitudinal axis and a first engagement element. The method can also include engaging the first engagement element of the first prosthesis with a second engagement element of a second prosthesis to securely couple the second prosthesis to the first prosthesis. The second prosthesis can have a prosthetic valve. The first engagement element engages the second engagement element by moving the second prosthesis towards the first prosthesis in a direction generally parallel to the central longitudinal axis until the first engagement element engages the second engagement element.