Prosthetic heart valve and delivery apparatus

Method for loading a prosthetic heart valve (10) into a cylindrical valve sleeve (322) of a delivery apparatus (300), the delivery apparatus (300) comprising a catheter (302) adapted to extend through the vasculature of the patient, including the procedure: attaching the prosthetic heart valve (10) to a valve retention mechanism (306) at a distal end of the catheter (302), the valve retention mechanism (306) forming a releasable connection between the prosthetic heart valve (10) and the catheter (302); causing a torque shaft (312) of delivery apparatus (300) to rotate with respect to catheter (302), the torque shaft (312) extending into catheter (302) and presenting a distal end portion coupled to valve sleeve (322), and causing the rotation of the torque shaft (312) with respect to the catheter (302) a relative longitudinal movement between the valve cover (322) and the prosthetic heart valve (10) such that the prosthetic heart valve (10 ) and the valve retention mechanism (306) are at least partially covered by the valve sleeve (322) so as to maintain the prosthetic heart valve (10) in a radially compressed state.