Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR)
If you have aortic stenosis, you may be eligible for a minimally invasive alternative to open-heart surgery. Talk to your cardiologist about transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). This innovative procedure is available at Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula’s Tyler Heart Institute, part of Montage Health.
What’s aortic stenosis?
Aortic stenosis is a type of heart valve disease. It happens when the heart's aortic valve doesn’t open and close as well as it should because of aging, damage, or calcium buildup. This slows blood flow and makes your heart work harder to pump blood.
Over time, aortic stenosis can weaken the heart, leading to heart failure or heart attack. To prevent these complications and lessen aortic stenosis symptoms, your doctor may recommend replacing the valve.
What’s TAVR?
TAVR is a procedure for people who need a new aortic heart valve. It’s an alternative to open-heart surgery, which may not be right for certain people because of their health conditions or age.
While open-heart surgery uses a large incision to perform surgery, TAVR uses minimally invasive technology and techniques. This means you’ll have:
- Smaller incisions
- Less risk of pain, bleeding, and infection
- Faster, smoother recovery — usually a couple of days instead of several weeks
Is TAVR right for me?
Talk to your doctor about the potential risks and benefits of this procedure, as well as other treatments for aortic stenosis.
Preoperative evaluation
To make sure TAVR is the best option for you, you’ll receive a full medical evaluation from our multidisciplinary team of doctors and other clinicians.
What to expect
Your procedure will take place in our Cardiac Catheterization Lab. During TAVR, your doctor inserts a catheter (a long, narrow tube) through a small incision near the groin or wrist and guides it through an artery to your heart. Your doctor uses the catheter to place a new valve, which takes over the work of your narrowed aortic valve.
Your TAVR care team
Benefit from the expertise of the compassionate, skilled doctors and staff members of Tyler Heart Institute. Your evaluation team and TAVR care providers may include:
- Interventional cardiologist (heart doctor) – Specialist in catheter-based heart procedures
- Cardiothoracic surgeon – Doctor who performs open-heart procedures
- Cardiac imaging specialists – Professionals who use imaging technology to diagnose and guide the treatment of heart conditions
- Clinical nurse coordinator – Staff member who helps you and your family navigate the process of getting care before, during, and after the procedure
- Palliative care specialist – Healthcare professional who focuses on relieving stress and symptoms
- Additional specialists as needed
Cardiac rehabilitation
After TAVR, reach your best health and heal more quickly by participating in our cardiac rehabilitation program.
