TAVR

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is a minimally invasive procedure used for the treatment of aortic stenosis.
It is suitable for aortic stenosis patients who can not undergo open-heart surgery due to comorbidities.
TAVR does not require a long incision, instead a thin tube is inserted into the patient’s artery through a tiny incision in the arm or groin area.
TAVR is of two types : Self-Expanding Valves and Balloon-Expandable Valves.

LONGEVITY OF TAVR

In a 2019 study, 91% of patients who underwent the TAVR procedure didn’t show any signs of severe valve degeneration 5 to 10 years post-implantation.
TAVR valves provides durability as good as or better than surgical bioprosthetic valves

The cardiologist makes a tiny incision in the groin and inserts a catheter with a balloon tip into an artery.
The cardiologist uses moving X-ray images to properly position the catheter and guide it to the heart.
Once the catheter reaches the aortic valve, a replacement valve passes through the catheter.
The catheter’s balloon tip is inflated to insert the replacement valve into the correct position.
The cardiologist removes the catheter after the replacement valve is secured in place.

Valve embolization or paravalvular leak
The most serious complication of TAVR is the failure of the replacement valve or its leaking.
Other risks are: Heart attack; Stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA); Blood clots; Bleeding and infection.
Specific care is taken to avoid these complication post-procedure.

Patients with a high risk of open-heart surgery.
Patient who cannot undergo invasive procedures due to previous ailment such as liver/lung diseases.
Patient who are undergoing the process again due to the previous valve narrowing.

Patients who have had previous mechanical valve surgery at the aortic valve location.