A surgical stapler for securing a 
prosthetic heart valve within a patient generally includes a first cylindrical portion for carrying at least one staple 
assembly on a distal end thereof; a second cylindrical portion positioned concentrically about the first cylindrical portion and having a camming arm on a distal end thereof, the camming arm configured to 
cam the at least one staple 
assembly radially outward and drive the at least one staple 
assembly distally such that a first leg of the at least one staple assembly penetrates a 
cuff of the 
prosthetic heart valve and a second leg of the at least one staple assembly pierces a portion of heart tissue surrounding the 
prosthetic heart valve, as the second cylindrical portion is moved distally relative to the first cylindrical portion; and a third cylindrical portion positioned concentrically about the second cylindrical portion and having an anvil 
flange on a distal end thereof, the anvil 
flange configured to 
crimp the second leg of the at least one staple assembly toward the first leg of the at least one staple assembly to secure the prosthetic 
heart valve to the surrounding heart tissue as the third cylindrical portion is moved relative to the second cylindrical portion. A method of installing a 
heart valve within a patient which includes the steps of accessing 
a site within a heart from which a natural 
heart valve has been removed; lowering a prosthetic heart valve into position within the site in the heart; positioning a surgical stapler having at least one staple assembly removably held on a distal end thereof adjacent the prosthetic heart valve within the site in the heart; driving a first leg of the at least one staple assembly through a 
peripheral cuff of the prosthetic heart valve; and crimping a second leg of the at least one staple assembly in a direction toward the first leg such that the second leg pierces a portion of heart tissue surrounding the prosthetic heart valve, thereby securing the prosthetic heart valve to the surrounding heart tissue.