Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR)
Innovative, minimally invasive procedure to treat severe aortic stenosis
As a prominent Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) program in the state of Indiana, our team is trusted to guide you through this complex medical innovation.
Our TAVR program serves as a state and regional referral resource for the most complex patient population.
TAVR is a less invasive, catheter-based technique for replacing your diseased aortic valve if you are considered high-risk for traditional open heart surgery. Your team at IU Health will include interventional cardiologists, cardiovascular surgeons and anesthesiologists.
During the procedure, your surgeon and cardiologist will place a new aortic valve into your diseased valve. They will assess the new valve using echocardiography at the end of the procedure to be certain that it is working properly.
For the TAVR procedure, you can expect a full exam. This will include:
- Pre-operative echocardiogram
- Cardiac catheterization
- CT Angiogram
- Appointments with two cardiac surgeons for your case review
Our TAVR team discusses each patient to decide the best option for you. Since this procedure is less invasive than traditional open heart surgery, you can expect a short hospital stay and quicker return to activities.
What to Expect
TAVR is a less invasive, catheter-based technique for replacing your diseased aortic valve if you are considered high-risk for traditional open heart surgery. Your team at IU Health will include interventional cardiologists, cardiovascular surgeons and anesthesiologists.
During the procedure, your surgeon and cardiologist will place a new aortic valve into your diseased valve. They will assess the new valve using echocardiography at the end of the procedure to be certain that it is working properly.
For the TAVR procedure, you can expect a full exam. This will include:
- Pre-operative echocardiogram
- Cardiac catheterization
- CT Angiogram
- Appointments with two cardiac surgeons for your case review
Our TAVR team discusses each patient to decide the best option for you. Since this procedure is less invasive than traditional open heart surgery, you can expect a short hospital stay and quicker return to activities.
Your first visit with the cardiac surgeon and/or cardiologist may take several hours due to the various testing needs.
Preparing for Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement
Your first visit with the cardiac surgeon and/or cardiologist may take several hours due to the various testing needs.
You will be assessed in the surgeon’s office about two weeks after you leave the hospital. Once released from the surgeon’s care, your cardiologist will resume care of your heart health needs.
After Your Procedure
You will be assessed in the surgeon’s office about two weeks after you leave the hospital. Once released from the surgeon’s care, your cardiologist will resume care of your heart health needs.
- What is the durability of the valve?
- What are my risks associated with TAVR vs. open heart surgery?
- What can I expect for my symptom improvement?
Questions to Ask Your Provider
- What is the durability of the valve?
- What are my risks associated with TAVR vs. open heart surgery?
- What can I expect for my symptom improvement?
Sep 15
Martha Fletcher is usually on the go but noticed recently that she was falling short of breath. "When I was out walking, particularly up hills, I was finding that I would have to stop and catch my breath," said Martha. After some investigation, her primary care doctor referred her to the heart valve team at IU Health Arnett where experts determined she was a good candidate for a procedure called transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). "Until three or four years ago this procedure was available mostly in big cities at the bigger hospitals, but these patients are everywhere," said Dr. Mohammad Hoque, an interventional cardiologist who brought the procedure to Arnett. "Our patients don't need to travel to big places and our outcomes are as good as any of those big places."
Patient Stories for Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR)
Sep 15
Martha Fletcher is usually on the go but noticed recently that she was falling short of breath. "When I was out walking, particularly up hills, I was finding that I would have to stop and catch my breath," said Martha. After some investigation, her primary care doctor referred her to the heart valve team at IU Health Arnett where experts determined she was a good candidate for a procedure called transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). "Until three or four years ago this procedure was available mostly in big cities at the bigger hospitals, but these patients are everywhere," said Dr. Mohammad Hoque, an interventional cardiologist who brought the procedure to Arnett. "Our patients don't need to travel to big places and our outcomes are as good as any of those big places."