Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR)
Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement – commonly referred to as TAVR – is a proven minimally invasive surgical procedure that expands options available to the 250,000 patients annually in the U.S. who meet the criteria for aortic valve replacement.
Aortic valve stenosis is the most common type of valvular heart disease. When it becomes severe enough to impair quality of life or even threaten it, aortic valve replacement surgery is often recommended. The standard valve replacement solution for many years was open heart surgery. Yet many patients couldn’t withstand the rigors of this type of surgery – or for a variety of other reasons weren’t candidates – and as a result did nothing.
Doing nothing when it reaches that level of concern is not good. Patients who don’t intervene when they have severe aortic valve stenosis only have a 50% chance of being alive two years later. Transaortic Valve Replacement is a game-changer in cardiovascular technology, technique, care, and outcomes for patients needing aortic valve replacement.
TAVR is a minimally invasive aortic valve replacement procedure that’s done with local anesthesia and sedation in under two hours with one night hospitalization. If everything goes as expected, patients go home the day after the procedure and can resume all activities they were doing prior to the procedure.
In contrast, individuals undergoing surgical aortic valve replacement have a prolonged recovery time, including several days in the intensive care unit after their procedure followed by several weeks of rehabilitation. Yet there are still times when open-heart surgery is indicated.
If you’ve been reluctant to replace a damaged aortic valve in an open-heart surgery procedure or for a variety of reasons were told you weren’t a candidate for that approach, Transaortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) offers an option to open-heart surgery worth considering.
As with any medical procedure, there are risks. Although this is a lower risk procedure, it does not mean there’s no risk. The risks of TAVR include needing a permanent pacemaker, bleeding, vascular complications, stroke, kidney failure and even death.
TAVR – By the Numbers:
600,000 people in the U.S. die of heart disease annually
250,000 people annually meet the criteria for aortic valve replacement
People with untreated severe aortic valve stenosis have 50% chance they will not be alive two years later.
2/3 of people diagnosed with severe aortic valve disease don’t have an aortic valve replacement procedure.
The Eisenhower Cardiology TAVR Approach
For nearly 50 years, Eisenhower Health has built a reputation as one of the premier heath care facilities in the country offering patients the benefits of advanced technology in a safe, caring and healing environment. Eisenhower Smilow Heart Center of Excellence is a recognized leader in cardiac care based on clinical outcomes compared to peers both regionally and nationally and the only hospital in the Coachella Valley that performs the Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) procedure.
Eisenhower Health's Heart Valve Team is comprised of a collaborative group of interventional cardiologists, cardiothoracic surgeons, imaging specialists, cardiac anesthesiologists, a valve clinic coordinator and operating room and Cath Lab staff. This cohesive, multidisciplinary approach embodies optimal patient-centric care, dedication across specialties, opportunity for shared-decision making and a collaborative treatment decision that is ultimately best for you.
The main objective of the Heart Valve Team is to conduct a comprehensive evaluation to determine whether the TAVR procedure is the right one for you.
Knowing your options is the first step in heart valve disease treatment. The best treatment options for you depend on multiple factors that the Eisenhower Heart Valve Team will review. These include: type of valve disease you have, severity, age, past medical and surgical history, and objective frailty screening.
Learn more about Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement in this section of the website or call 760-837-8350 to make an appointment with a member of the Heart Valve Team to discuss whether TAVR is a fit for your situation and how Eisenhower’s award-winning TAVR team approaches aortic valve replacement.