What is a TAVR Procedure?

If you or someone you love has been told they have a heart valve problem, it's natural to have questions. Understanding what's happening in your body, and what your options are, is the first step toward feeling confident about your care

What is TAVR?

TAVR stands for Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement and is a minimally invasive heart valve replacement procedure. This surgery works to improve the function of the aortic valve, which controls blood flow from your heart to the rest of your body. The aortic valve does this by opening and closing leaflets within the valve. When these leaflets become stiff, they have trouble opening fully and cause the valve to narrow, which is known as aortic stenosis. When the aortic valve cannot open correctly, blood flow from the heart to the body is reduced.

Think of a heart valve like a door that opens and closes to keep blood moving in the right direction. A healthy valve is thin and flexible, so it opens and closes easily. Over time, though, a valve can become thick, stiff and narrower. When that happens, it’s a bit like trying to push something through a door that won’t open all the way. As the opening gets smaller, the heart has to work much harder to pump blood through it. That means less blood can reach the rest of the body, and over time the extra strain can weaken the heart. This may lead to symptoms like shortness of breath, chest pain, feeling faint or passing out, heart failure, or even sudden death.

What causes aortic stenosis?

Aortic stenosis is usually caused by a build-up of calcium on the valve leaflets, especially in older adults, but it can also be a result of a birth defect, prior infections or even inflammation due to radiation therapy.

What are the symptoms of aortic stenosis?

People who are experiencing aortic stenosis may have the following symptoms:

• Heart murmur
• Chest pain
• Feeling faint or dizzy
• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue
• Heart palpitations
• Swelling in the legs

What is a TAVR procedure?

The TAVR procedure helps to minimize these symptoms while decreasing the stress on the heart. TAVR is completed by entering the largest artery in the groin or by making a small incision in the neck and entering through the large neck artery. During the procedure, a fully collapsible replacement valve is inserted inside the old aortic valve through a catheter. When the valve is expanded, it pushes the old valve leaflets out of the way and allows for improved blood flow. Because the TAVR procedure is not an open-heart surgery it can mean a shorter hospital stay and may be a good option for people who are at an increased risk for complications with traditional open-heart surgery. 

Who is a candidate for TAVR?

TAVR is not the right fit for everyone, but it is worth exploring if you fall into any of the following categories:

• Older age
• Weakened heart
• Previous heart surgeries
• History of stroke
• Lung disease or COPD
• Liver disease
• Kidney disease
• Diabetes

TAVR may not be a good option for you if you are young, under 65 years old, and otherwise healthy, were born with an abnormal valve (bicuspid aortic valve), or if you have multiple heart problems. A multidisciplinary team of cardiologists and cardiac surgeons is necessary to help you make an informed decision about what intervention is best for you long term.

What are the benefits of TAVR compared to open-heart surgery?

Because TAVR does not require opening the chest, it often means:

1. A shorter hospital stay
2. A faster recovery
3. Less physical stress on the body

This makes TAVR a strong option for people who face higher risks with traditional open-heart surgery.

If you, or a loved one, are experiencing any of the above symptoms related to aortic stenosis or have questions about the TAVR procedure, don’t hesitate to talk to your doctor or seek care from a cardiovascular surgeon. 

Learn more about TAVR and heart valve disease treatment at Ochsner.