An apparatus for endovascularly replacing a patient's heart valve. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a replacement heart valve implant comprising a valve and an expandable anchor; and a deployment tool adapted to endovascularly deliver the replacement heart valve implant to an implant site within the patient, the deployment tool comprising an actuator adapted to exert an axially directed force on the anchor. The invention also provides a method for endovascularly replacing a heart valve of a patient. In some embodiments, the method includes the steps of endovascularly delivering a replacement heart valve implant having a valve and an anchor to an implant site within the patient; and applying an axially directed force from an actuator outside of the patient to the anchor. In invention also provides deployment tools for performing the method.