Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR)

Since 2012, our team has been replacing aortic valves without the need for open heart surgery. TAVR is performed on a beating heart and does not require cardiopulmonary bypass or a large chest incision. 

A cardiologist-cardiothoracic surgeon team replaces a diseased valve in one of four ways: 

• Through an incision in the leg 
• Through the carotid artery 
• Between the ribs 
• Through a subclavian artery, located below the collarbone 

TAVR is performed in our hybrid OR, which combines operating room capabilities with the most advanced imaging systems available. 

Recovery

The patient usually goes home the next day. 

Following discharge, most patients are seen within the next week. Patients generally continue their previous home medications plus Plavix for the next six to eight weeks. Patients have follow-up echocardiography upon discharge and usually yearly thereafter. 

Who Can Benefit

Current guidelines recommend TAVR for older patients or those with other health issues who are considered moderate risk. 

First Steps

NMMC’s cardiologists and cardiothoracic surgeons collaborate to determine the best treatment. 

You will have an echocardiogram to confirm aortic stenosis and quantify ejection fraction. The echocardiogram also checks for co-existing valve disease, including severe aortic insufficiency, that might prohibit a TAVR procedure. 

You will undergo CT scanning of the chest, abdomen and pelvis with contrast to map out the aortic valve and arterial blood vessels, as well as determine adequate sizing of the transcatheter aortic valve. 

We perform a left heart catheterization to assess for co-existing coronary artery disease that we may need to address or stent before the procedure.