WHAT IS A TRANSCATHETER AORTIC VALVE REPLACEMENT or TAVR SURGERY?

Learn from Dr. Dhaval Naik, experienced TAVR Surgeon from Ahmedabad, with a record of successful 8+ TAVR Surgical activities.

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) is a minimally invasive surgical procedure to replace the narrowed aortic valve, without removing the old one. Instead it wedges a replacement valve into the aortic valve's place.

It is sometimes called Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI).

Who is a good candidate for this type of valve surgery?
Usually valve replacement surgery required an open heart procedure with “sternotomy”. But TAVR or TAVI can be done through very small openings and leaving all the chest bones in place.

A TAVR procedure is not without risks, but it provides beneficial treatment options for those who are considered at intermediate or high risk of complications from open heart procedure. Most people who have this procedure are in their 70s or 80s.

WHY IS TAVR DONE?

TAVR is a procedure to replace the narrowed aortic valve otherwise called as aortic valve stenosis. This narrowing prevents the valve from opening fully obstructing the blood flow from the heart to aorta and them to rest of your body.

This could result in chest pain, fainting, leg swelling, fatigue and shortness of breath. Majorly, it can also lead to heart failure and sudden cardiac death.

HOW YOU PREPARE FOR TAVR PROCEDURE?

Your treatment team will let you know how to prepare for the procedure and what to expect during the procedure. Here are few things that you might be asked to do:

• #1 You might need to shave your hair where the incision is to be made.
• #2 You may be asked to visit the hospital a day before the procedure is planned for a check up.
• #3 Your treatment team will suggest you when to stop eating or drinking before the procedure.
• #4 You will be guided when to take your medications on the day of the procedure.
• #5 Talk about your allergies or reactions you have had to medications.

WHAT HAPPENS DURING THE PROCEDURE?

The entire procedure typically takes approximately 1–2 hours. Your heart team will determine whether you should have a mild sedative or general anaesthesia.

At the start of the procedure, your doctor will make a small cut in one of three places:

The groin
The neck or
Space between your ribs

The doctor will guide a thin, flexible tube with the heart valve through the incision, into your artery, and to your diseased valve. The Medtronic TAVR heart valve will be placed in your diseased valve or failing surgical valve and begin working immediately. Your doctor will then remove the tube and close the incision.

AFTER THE TAVR PROCEDURE

Patient will be kept in ICU for a day after the procedure. Generally you will be spending two to five days in hospital.

Meanwhile you will be asked to take blood thinning medications to prevent blood clots after the procedure. Your doctor will recommend that you take medications before certain dental procedures to prevent certain infections, as you're at higher risk of certain infections with a replacement heart valve. Talk to your doctor about his or her recommendations.