The TAVR Procedure
TAVR – Transcatheter aortic valve replacement
What is the TAVR procedure?
The transcatheter aortic valve replacement, also known as the TAVR procedure, is a minimally-invasive, FDA-approved procedure that replaces damaged aortic valves. This procedure replaces a patient’s aortic valve in order to increase blood flow and produces results in lengthening patients’ lives.
Why choose UCHealth?
When you choose UCHealth for heart and vascular care, you’re taking advantage of our ongoing leadership in using advanced technology to deliver top-quality, patient-centered care. The expert team at UCHealth was one of the first heart programs in the country to perform transcatheter aortic valve replacement. As part of this advanced technology, UCHealth is proud to offer transcatheter aortic valve replacement as an option to patients who are not suitable for open-heart surgery. We’re one of the few programs to offer two types of valves for your TAVR procedure.
What is the recovery time for the TAVR procedure?
While there are some surgical components to the TAVR procedure, they are minimal and less invasive than open-heart surgery, because it allows placement of a new valve within the native, diseased aortic valve through a catheter. This reduces the recovery time required so you can get back to doing all the things you dream of doing. Often patients are able to go home the next day.
The surgery is performed in the hybrid operating room, which is a highly technical room with advanced imaging equipment needed for this technical procedure.
>> Go to the Edwards Lifesciences website to see an animation of this procedure.
Make an appointment at one of our TAVR centers
UCHealth Heart and Vascular Center - Anschutz Medical Campus
UCHealth Structural Heart and Valve Clinic - Loveland
UCHealth Cardiac Surgery - Memorial Hospital Central
References
American Heart Association (AHA). What is TAVR? (TAVI) (https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-valve-problems-and-disease/understanding-your-heart-valve-treatment-options/what-is-tavr)
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) (https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/tavr)