TAVR Procedure
TAVR stands for transcatheter aortic valve replacement, and it is a kind of minimally-invasive surgery. The TAVR procedure is for people with aortic valve stenosis, or aortic stenosis, which is a kind of heart valve disease. It happens when the valve between the lower left heart chamber and the body's main artery (aorta) is narrow and doesn't open all the way. This reduces or blocks blood flow from the heart to the aorta and to the rest of the body.
The TAVR procedure inserts a new valve inside of the diseased aortic valve. The new valve will push the parts of the diseased valve (the leaflets) to the side. The new valve will use the leaflets of the diseased valve to lock it in place.
This procedure is different than open heart surgery and is easier to recover from. TAVR uses a small tube called a catheter to replace the bad heart valve. The catheter is put into a large blood vessel in your chest or leg and guided into place. Doctors can perform the surgery with only a small surgical opening.
What is TAVR?
This animated video shows what happens during a TAVR surgery.
If you are interested in seeing a cardiologist to learn more about your heart health, you can make an appointment below.
You can also contact the Kaweah Health Cardiology Center to learn more about our doctors and services.
Kaweah Health Cardiology Center
820 South Akers Street, Suite 130
Visalia, CA 93277
(559) 624-6520
