Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR)

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) is a less-invasive approach to aortic valve replacement than open heart surgery that may be an option if you’ve been diagnosed with severe aortic stenosis. While both types of surgery are excellent solutions for valve replacement, TAVR is typically associated with a faster recovery and shorter hospital stay than open heart surgery.

During a TAVR procedure, the patient is placed under anesthesia while a catheter delivers a new heart valve through an incision (usually made in the leg). A thin, flexible tube is inserted into the artery to guide the valve up to your heart, and the valve is expanded into place. Your old valve is not removed. Instead, the new valve is placed next to the old valve, essentially pushing the old valve out of the way, and takes over the role of regulating blood flow. A balloon helps the new valve deploy in place, replacing the old, diseased valve.

TAVR may be an option for people who have been diagnosed with severe aortic stenosis, a disease that keeps the aortic heart valve from opening and closing properly.

What is aortic stenosis?

  • Aortic stenosis (AS) is one of the most common and serious valve disease problems.
  • Approximately 2.5 million people in the U.S. 75 years and older suffer from AS.
  • With AS, the opening of the aortic heart valve narrow. As a result, the heart needs to work harder and may not pump enough oxygen-rich blood to the body.
  • Common symptoms of aortic stenosis include:
    • Chest pain
    • Rapid, fluttering heartbeat
    • Feeling short of breath
    • Feeling dizzy or light-headed
  • Severe aortic stenosis is life-threatening, and treatment is critical. After the onset of symptoms, patients with severe aortic stenosis have a survival rate as low as 50% at two years and 20% at five years without aortic valve replacement.
  • The average hospital stay is three days compared to seven with surgery.
  • Low risk AS patients are often healthier and expect to resume their everyday lives rapidly post-procedure.
  • Your TAVR team includes interventional cardiologist, a heart surgeon, anesthesia and catherization and surgery technicians all working to ensure the best outcome and get you back to living your best life.
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