An implantable prosthetic valve assembly, according to one embodiment,comprisesa frame assembly including a plurality of struts and a prostheticvalve secured inside the frame assembly by sutures. The sutures are inward oftheoutermost surface of an outer periphery of the frame assembly. In certainembodiments the struts contain recesses in which sutures can be disposed. Inotherembodiments, the struts can have holes through them which the sutures passthrough.The implantable prosthetic valve assembly can also be collapsed within acatheter suchthat an outermost surface of a periphery of the frame assembly touches thecatheterbut the sutures are spaced apart from the catheter or are flush with the outersurfaceof the frame.
