tavr
Why would I need a TAVR?
Your heart has valves that control blood flow in and out of the heart. The aortic valve controls the blood that travels from your heart to your aorta and the rest of the body.
Over time, or due to a heart defect from birth, you may develop aortic stenosis which is a narrowing of the aortic valve. A diseased valve may need to be repaired or even replaced if it no longer works.
TAVR may be suggested for adults not healthy enough for regular valve surgery.
​
Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR)
A TAVR is a 2-4 hour procedure done in a hospital. General anesthesia will put you in a pain-free sleep with a breathing tube inserted to help you breathe. The procedure continues with a cut in an artery in your groin or chest near your breast bone.
Your doctor may also implant a pacemaker to maintain a regular heart rhythm. A small thin tube, called a catheter, will move through the artery to your heart and aortic valve. A small balloon will expand in the aortic valve to allow a biological valve to open inside of the old valve. It will now do the work of the old valve.
​
TAVR procedures allow for shorter hospital stay and a quicker return to daily activities when compared to an open-heart surgery.
​
TAVR does come with risk of stroke, bleeding where catheters were inserted, possible need for a permanent pacemaker, possible injury to the kidneys or heart, and sometimes the new valve does not fit well.
​
Your cardiologist will continue to monitor your condition after the procedure to check how well the valve is working and how well you are healing.
​
The information contained on Sanjoaquincardiology.org is not intended, and should not be relied upon, as a substitute for medical advice or treatment.
​
It is very important that individuals with specific medical problems or questions to consult with our cardiology specialists.
