An assembly for replacement of a native aortic heart valve includes a radially collapsible prosthetic heart valve and a delivery apparatus. The prosthetic heart valve includes an annular frame with attachment posts, wherein each of the posts has an axial post portion and a transverse post portion having a greater circumferential dimension than the axial post portion. The delivery apparatus includes an inner shaft with a valve connection portion for releasably coupling to the attachment posts and an outer shaft having a sheath for maintaining the prosthetic heart valve in a radially compressed state. Rotation of a control knob on a handle causes the sheath to retract for uncovering a portion of the prosthetic heart valve. Further rotation of the control knob allows the posts to decouple from the delivery apparatus such that the prosthetic heart valve self-expands to a fully expanded state.