Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is a minimally invasive heart procedure to replace a thickened aortic valve that can't fully open (aortic valve stenosis). The aortic valve is located between the left lower heart chamber (left ventricle) and the body's main artery (aorta). If the valve doesn't open correctly, blood flow from the heart to the body is reduced.

TAVR can help restore blood flow and reduce the signs and symptoms of aortic valve stenosis — such as chest pain, shortness of breath, fainting and fatigue.

TAVR may be an option for people who are at risk of complications from surgical aortic valve replacement (open-heart surgery). The decision to treat aortic stenosis with TAVR is made after a discussion with a team of heart and heart surgery specialists, who work together to determine the best treatment option for you.

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement may also be called transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI).

Why it's done

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is a treatment for aortic valve stenosis. Aortic valve stenosis — or aortic stenosis — occurs when the heart's aortic valve thickens and becomes stiff (calcifies). As a result, the valve can't fully open and blood flow to the body is reduced.

TAVR is an alternative to open-heart aortic valve replacement surgery. People who have TAVR often have a shorter hospital stay than those who have surgical aortic valve replacement.

Your doctor may recommend TAVR if you have:

• Severe aortic stenosis that causes signs and symptoms.
• A biological tissue aortic valve that isn't working as well as it should.
• Another health condition, such as lung or kidney disease, that makes open-heart valve replacement surgery too risky.

Risks

All surgeries and medical procedures come with some type of risk. Potential risks of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) may include:

• Bleeding
• Blood vessel complications
• Problems with the replacement valve, such as the valve slipping out of place or leaking (regurgitation)
• Stroke
• Heart rhythm problems (arrhythmias) and the need for a pacemaker
• Kidney disease
• Heart attack
• Infection
• Death

Studies have found that the risks of disabling stroke and death are similar among those who have TAVR and surgical aortic valve replacement.

How you prepare

The treatment team will provide instructions on how to prepare for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Talk to your doctor if you have any questions about the procedure.