TAVI Recovery

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) can improve the quality of life of patients who experience symptoms from aortic stenosis. TAVI has shown improved quality of life and health scores.

How long is recovery time after the TAVI procedure?

TAVI has a shorter procedure time and hospital stay compared to surgery. Most patients return home within a few days and have a shorter recovery time, getting them back to everyday activities.2-4 TAVI has shown improved quality of life and health scores sooner. This means getting back to everyday life faster.5 This means the freedom to do more of what you love and getting back to everyday life.

Your doctor can provide more information on what your TAVI recovery time may be like and what to expect after your procedure.

Recovery immediately following TAVI

Generally following a TAVI procedure, you may be taken to the intensive care unit (ICU) for a little while or moved directly to a recovery room. Your doctor will update your caregiver or loved ones on how you are doing.

Talk to your doctor about how long visitors may be expected to wait before seeing you as well as when you can expect to transition to home care.

Hospital

What to know before leaving the hospital

Your doctor may give you specific instructions to help you with your recovery. it is important to carefully follow your doctors directions, and ask for clarity if you are unsure.

Here are some questions you may want to ask regarding your after care:

  • How soon can I get back to my day-to-day activities?
  • When can I increase my level of physical activity?
  • Are there activities I should avoid?
  • Can I drive?

Before you or your loved one leaves the hospital, make sure to ask specific questions about eating, sleeping, activity level, medications, and follow-up appointments.

Recovery in the days and weeks after your TAVI procedure

Life after TAVI can be exciting, but you should be aware of certain aspects of the recovery process:

  • Your healthcare team will provide guidance to aid healing of the incision site.
  • Some aches and pains are a normal part of the recovery process. Speak to your doctor if you need help managing these.
  • Your doctor may recommenced breathing and coughing exercises to keep your lungs clear and help prevent complications.

Follow-up care during your TAVI recovery

Your doctor will provide specific follow-up care instructions for you, which may include cardiac care rehabilitation. He or she will let you know if you need this extra support after your TAVI procedure.

Follow-up care visits will also be scheduled with either your hospital or your regular heart doctor (cardiologist). If your follow-up care is to be done at the hospital, it is important to reach out to your cardiologist to let them know how your TAVI procedure went.

As you get back to life, it is important to call or see your cardiologist whenever you have questions or concerns, especially if you experience any unusual problems such as bleeding, pain, other discomfort, or changes in your overall health.

Free TAVR info kit

Want more information delivered directly to you?

Get a free information kit by email or mail to learn more about severe aortic stenosis and TAVI as a treatment option.

What you’ll receive in your kit:

  • Education on severe aortic stenosis and symptoms checklist once it becomes severe
  • Information on TAVI as a treatment option
  • Discussion guide for talking with your doctor
Order your free info kit

References
1. Baron SJ, Magnuson EA, Lu M et al. Health Status After Transcatheter Versus Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement in Low-Risk Patients With Aortic Stenosis. J Am Coll Cardiol. 20l9;74(23):2833–2842. doi: 10.1016/j.jacc.2019.09.007.
2. Mack MJ, Leon M, Thourani VH et al. Transcatheter Aortic-Valve Replacement with a Balloon-Expandable Valve in Low-Risk Patients. N Engl J Med. 20l9;380(18):1695–1705 and supplementary material. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1814052.
3. Thourani VH, Kodali S, Makkar RR et al. Transcatheter aortic valve replacement versus surgical valve replacement in intermediate-risk patients: a propensity score analysis. Lancet. 2016;387(10034):2218–2225. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(16)30073–3.
4. Leon MB, Smith CR, Mack MJ et al. Transcatheter or Surgical Aortic-Valve Replacement in Intermediate-Risk Patients. N Engl J Med. 20l6;374(17):1609–1620. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1514616.
5. Barbanti M, Van Mourik MS, Spense MS et al. Optimising patient discharge management after transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve implantation: the multicentre European FAST-TAVI trial. Eurolntervention. 20l9;15:147–154. doi: 10.4244/EIJ-D-18-01197.

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