Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR)
Aortic stenosis occurs when your aortic valve becomes narrow and can’t fully open. As a result, blood has a hard time flowing from your heart to your aorta and the rest of your body. Your heart must work harder to pump the blood through this smaller opening. This extra work can weaken your heart over time.
You may be able to have a valve replacement through a catheter (small tube). This depends on your health and age.
During the TAVR, your doctor will place a valve made of animal tissue into your heart using a catheter. The doctor uses imaging to guide the new valve to your narrowed valve.
Once your doctor has the valve in the right position, they expand it to hold the valve open. Your doctor then removes the catheter, and the new valve stays in place.
This procedure is generally done using minimal sedation and you will likely spend one night in the hospital. Most of the patients will go home around lunchtime the next day.
After your TAVR, we will see you back in the clinic 30 days post procedure. We will check some labs and repeat an echocardiogram to ensure the new TAVR valve is working normally.
Please reach out to our Structural Heart Team for more information.
Jayme P, RN- Structural Heart Valve Coordinator
763-236-7003
Jayme.parker@mhvi.com
How do I choose my valve center if I want to be considered for TAVR?
It is important to choose a heart center that has experience with structural heart disease. All physicians on the valve team at Metropolitan Heart and Vascular Center have undergone extensive training specific to TAVR. Physician and staff training is on-going as new technologies are developed.
Who is the Valve Team?
Your valve team consists of Interventional cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, anesthesiologists, advanced practice providers, a Valve RN Coordinator, image specialists, nurses and techs, your dentist, and appointment schedulers. Your cardiologist and surgeon will determine which valve is the best one for you based on your valve anatomy and health history.
Dr. Jeff Chambers, Interventional Cardiologist
Dr. Todd Drexel, Interventional Cardiologist
Dr. Chad Olinger, Cardiovascular Imaging Specialist
Dr. Sajad Mir, Cardiovascular Imaging Specialist
Dr. Amin Rahmatullah, Cardiovascular Imaging Specialist
Dr. Jim Kolbeck, Interventional Cardiologist
Dr. Johannes Brechtken, Interventional Cardiologist
Dr. DaLi Feng, Cardiovascular Imaging Specialist
For any questions regarding TAVR, please contact:
Anna Bendiske, Referral Specialist 763-236-8386 or anna.bendiske@mhvi.com
