TAVR: An Effective Treatment for Aortic Stenosis
One in 50 Americans over 65 has severe aortic stenosis, a condition in which the aortic valve becomes narrowed, restricting blood flow from the heart to the rest of the body. If left untreated, aortic stenosis can lead to heart failure, arrhythmias, or even sudden cardiac death, as the heart is forced to work harder to pump blood.
Fortunately, effective treatment options exist, and not all require open-heart surgery. Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) is a minimally invasive procedure that allows interventional cardiologists to replace a diseased aortic valve using a catheter, typically inserted through an artery in the leg.
How TAVR Works
- Before undergoing TAVR, patients receive a thorough evaluation, including imaging tests, to determine their suitability for the procedure.
- The procedure itself begins with either local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia, depending on the patient’s condition. A catheter is inserted, most commonly through the femoral artery in the groin.
- Using advanced imaging guidance, the catheter is carefully threaded through the vascular system to the heart, specifically to the aortic valve. Once positioned at the aortic valve, the new valve – either balloon-expandable or self-expanding – is deployed within the diseased valve, restoring proper blood flow.
- After ensuring the new valve is securely in place and functioning correctly, the catheter is removed, and the artery is closed using techniques similar to those in routine heart catheterization procedures.
Benefits of TAVR
“TAVR allows us to treat older, high-risk patients who may not be candidates for open heart surgery,” says Ahmed Alabbady, MD, interventional cardiologist and director of the Structural Heart Program at WMCHealth’s Good Samaritan Hospital “Patients experience similar outcomes to surgical aortic valve replacement but with fewer complications, shorter hospital stays, and faster recovery times.”
TAVR has been shown to significantly reduce symptoms of aortic stenosis, such as chest pain, shortness of breath, and fatigue, leading to an improved quality of life. Moreover, TAVR valves have demonstrated durability comparable to surgically implanted valves, making them a viable option for many patients.
Your heart can’t wait, and neither should you. WMCHealth heart specialists have performed hundreds of TAVR procedures successfully. To learn more about TAVR, other treatment options for aortic stenosis, and WMCHealth’s comprehensive cardiovascular care program is, visit our website where you can schedule an appointment online.