Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR)

What’s Aortic Stenosis?

Aortic stenosis means your aortic heart valve can’t fully open due to calcium buildup. This reduces blood flow through the heart. You might experience:

• Chest pain
• Fatigue
• Lightheadedness
• Severe shortness of breath with activity
• Swelling in both legs

Without treatment, aortic stenosis can lead to heart failure.

How TAVR Works

Heart imaging tests, lung function tests and other exams will help us decide if you qualify for TAVR. If you get treatment, a cardiologist will:

1. Place a catheter (soft tube) into a blood vessel near your groin, collarbone or armpit
2. Use the catheter to move a new valve through your blood vessels to your heart
3. Place the new valve in your heart, where it starts working right away to increase blood flow
4. Withdraw the catheter

Unlike some hospitals, CentraCare can insert the catheter in one of several places in your body. Our options expand your access to TAVR. CentraCare led a large national study that showed these options are safe and effective.

CentraCare doctors also have experience with “valve-in-valve" TAVRs. This means they can insert new valves within older ones, an approach not found at all other hospitals across the country.

Your Recovery

You’ll recover sooner after TAVR than after open-heart surgery. That’s because TAVR at CentraCare:

• Most often uses only conscious sedation, so you stay awake but don’t feel pain
• Doesn’t divide your breastbone or make a chest incision

After TAVR, you should breathe easier and feel more energetic. We’ll schedule follow-up visits to check your health and make sure you’re doing well.

Research Studies

CentraCare Heart & Vascular is one of the few sites in Minnesota with a heart research program. This research continues to improve valve procedures for aortic stenosis, including TAVR.

Resources

• American Heart Association
• Severe Aortic Stenosis - Edwards
• Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement - Medtronic