TAVR
Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is a minimally invasive procedure that replaces a narrowing, diseased aortic valve (aortic stenosis). TAVR is an option if your condition is considered too high risk for traditional open-heart surgery.
Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) hospital in Brandon, Florida
TAVR is a minimally invasive procedure that allows our team of specially trained surgeons to replace a diseased aortic valve without open-heart surgery.
Often, the best treatment option for patients with heart valve disease is surgery to repair or replace a malfunctioning or damaged valve. This is a serious surgical procedure, for which not all patients qualify. The heart specialists at HCA Florida Brandon Hospital provide advanced care for patients with structural heart conditions, including aortic stenosis. This includes an alternate option for severe aortic stenosis: the minimally invasive TAVR procedure.
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Aortic stenosis
Severe, symptomatic aortic stenosis is a structural heart condition characterized by a buildup of calcium on the leaflets of the aortic valve that regulate one-way blood flow.
This affects the aortic valve's ability to fully open and close, allowing less oxygen-rich blood to flow from the lungs to the brain and the rest of the body.
Patients with aortic stenosis may experience symptoms such as severe shortness of breath and extreme fatigue.
The TAVR procedure
TAVR is an alternate treatment option for patients with aortic stenosis who are considered to be at an intermediate or high risk for a traditional heart valve replacement. It may also be an option for patients who were previously not considered candidates for surgery.
During the procedure, the aortic valve is replaced using a balloon-expandable heart valve that is navigated into the heart via a catheter (thin, flexible tube).
Candidates for TAVR
Open-heart aortic valve replacement surgery is considered the gold standard treatment for aortic valve stenosis. However, some patients are not good candidates for open-heart surgery. In those cases, and some others, TAVR may be an option.
For example, TAVR may be an alternative for patients who do not qualify for surgery because of:
- Age
- Frailty
- Health conditions
- History of heart disease
A comprehensive evaluation will be conducted for each patient to determine if TAVR is an appropriate treatment option for their aortic stenosis.
When TAVR is not an option
In certain cases, TAVR may not be an option because coexisting medical conditions would prevent a successful procedure or because the risks of the procedure outweigh the benefits.
TAVR is just one surgery we perform to treat heart valve disease through our comprehensive cardiac care program. If you are not a candidate, we will do what we can to ensure you get the care you need.
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