A stented prosthetic heart valve including a stent, a plurality of leaflets, and a coupling apparatus. The stent includes a plurality of struts combining to define a generally tubular body, with the struts forming strut segments. The leaflets are mounted to the stent, and include a leaflet provided as part of a first leaflet layer that further forms a tab region. The coupling apparatus is configured for connecting the first leaflet layer to the stent, and includes a backing layer, a guide plate, and a pin. The guide plate and the pin are formed apart from the stent. In this regard, a portion of the backing layer and the tab region are secured between the guide plate and the pin. Further, another portion of the backing layer is attached to at least one of the strut segments to mount the leaflet of the first leaflet layer to the stent.
