Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation ​ (TAVI or TAVR)

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI), also known as Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR), is a less invasive procedure to treat severe aortic stenosis. TAVI/ TAVR does not require stopping the heart or opening the chest cavity. Once a TAVI Valve is implanted in place, it immediately begins functioning. TAVI is an alternative to traditional open-heart surgery for patients who are considered high-risk or intermediate-risk for surgical complications

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What are the benefits of TAVI/TAVR procedure?​

TAVI/TAVR like other minimally invasive approaches may have the following advantages

  • Lower risk of infection​
  • Less stress to the chest and heart muscle
  • Shorter hospital stays
  • Faster healing
  • Ability to return to normal activities sooner​

What are the Risks of TAVI/TAVR procedure?​

  • Valve leaks​
    • Sometimes blood leaks around the new valve because the replacement is not big enough, did not fully expand, or has interference from calcium buildup. We have access to newer, more effective models under development.​
  • Pacemakers
    • When valves open during placement, they can sometimes press on the heart’s electrical system and make a pacemaker necessary. Newer models aim to address this problem.​
  • Kidney damage​
    • The contrast dye used for imaging can hurt your kidneys, though the problem is usually reversible.
  • Vessel damage
    • Passing catheters through your arteries can potentially damage them. The damage is usually repairable through a catheter or with open vascular surgery.​
  • Stroke
    • A small percentage of people undergoing TAVR have developed a stroke, either during the procedure or in the days immediately following it.
  • Death
    • While TAVR is an effective and often much-needed treatment for sicker people, they face a very low possibility of not surviving the procedure.​
Disclaimer:

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This content should not be used as a substitute for professional medical diagnosis, advice, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment. The use of any information provided here should be at your own risk. We do not assume any liability for the decisions you make based on this information. For personalized medical advice, please consult a licensed healthcare provider.

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