A system for percutaneous transluminal front-end delivery and retrieval of a collapsible prosthetic occluder includes a front-end loading portion, a control assembly and an introducer and retrieval sheath assembly. The front-end loading portion includes a tapering lumen portion and a smaller diameter distal lumen portion. An infusion port communicates with the distal lumen portion immediately adjacent the distal end of the tapering lumen portion. A valve assembly seals the front-end loading portion lumen proximally of the collapsed occluder. The distal end of the front-end loading portion lumen is inserted into the proximal end of an introducer and retrieval sheath assembly. A control assembly advances the occluder through the front-end loading portion, the introducer and retrieval sheath assembly and into the defect site. The retrieval sheath assembly is less flexible than the introducer sheath and is sufficiently rigid to evert the deployed occluder when retracted thereagainst.