TAVR: Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement

The Less Invasive Therapy for Severe Aortic Stenosis

You may feel overwhelmed if you have been recently diagnosed with severe aortic stenosis and this can make it harder to take the step toward treatment. But the sooner you seek care, the quicker you will be able to get back to life and all the things you love.

TAVR, also called TAVI (transcatheter aortic valve implantation), is a less invasive procedure that is designed to replace a diseased aortic valve and get you back on your feet faster. Any severe aortic stenosis patients who are experiencing symptoms should be considered for TAVR. Only a TAVR Team can tell you if it is right for you.

The procedure is also an option for people at high risk for surgery who had their aortic valve replaced in the past, but need a new one because the replacement may no longer work well.

What Happens During TAVR?

In the past, many people suffering from severe aortic stenosis had limited options to replace an unhealthy valve, such as open heart surgery. Since 2011, TAVR has opened a door of possibilities and options for treating people in the United States with severe aortic stenosis.

What makes TAVR different from open heart surgery is that it uses a less invasive approach to treat a diseased aortic valve. A TAVR Doctor will determine the best approach for replacing your valve, but the most common technique involves a small incision made in the leg. This is called the transfemoral approach.

Transfemoral TAVR approach

Your TAVR Doctor may decide that a different approach is necessary depending on various factors. Other ways to perform the TAVR procedure include:

  • Subclavian Approach: Through an incision near the shoulder.
  • Transapical Approach: Through an incision in the chest between the ribs.
  • Transaortic Approach: Through an incision in the upper chest.
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