Apparatuses and methods for closing a transapical opening (9) in a wall of the heart include utilizing a suturing device (100) that is advanced through the transapical opening (9), extending suture arms (110) from a retracted position to an extended position within a ventricle of the heart, extending needles (120) from a retracted position to an extended position through the wall of the heart to engage a plurality of suture portions (52) held by the suture arms (110), retracting the needles through the wall of the heart to draw the suture portions through the wall of the heart, retracting the suture arms, withdrawing the suturing device from the transapical opening, and closing the transapical opening with the suture portions (52). The needles (120) can be deployed from within the transapical opening (9) at an angle to a longitudinal axis of the suturing device or through the exterior wall of the heart parallel to the longitudinal axis of the suturing device.
