TAVR (Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement)

About This Treatment

TAVR is the first FDA-approved transcatheter aortic valve replacement therapy. TAVR replaces a diseased aortic valve without open-heart surgery.

TAVR provides an important new treatment option for patients who cannot have open-heart surgery. It also eliminates the need for cardiopulmonary bypass. This is because the heart continues to beat while surgeons replace the aortic valve with a new artificial one.

Our surgeons perform TAVR at the Franciscan Health Heart Valve Center in Indianapolis and Crown Point. Our Heart Valve Center was the first multidisciplinary center in Indiana dedicated to heart valve disease. The team offers a depth of experience working together to treat aortic stenosis and other complex valve disorders.

What to expect during a TAVR procedure

TAVR is a minimally invasive procedure. During TAVR:

1. You receive general anesthesia.
2. Your surgeon accesses the heart through a blood vessel in the leg or a small incision in your chest.
3. Your surgeon places a collapsible aortic heart valve into the body.

Your cardiovascular specialist will make sure you are aware of the potential risks and complications before your procedure.

Is TAVR right for me?

The TAVR procedure can be a good option for patients with severe aortic stenosis and are over the age of 65 who otherwise have limited choices for repair of their aortic valve. Talk to your cardiologist to see if this procedure is right for you based on your risks.