Overview:
Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR), also known as Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI), is a minimally invasive procedure designed to replace a diseased aortic valve without an open-heart surgery. It is primarily used to treat severe aortic stenosis, a
condition where the aortic valve becomes narrowed, restricting blood flow from the heart to the rest of the body.

Procedure:

1. Accessing the Heart:

A thin, flexible tube called a catheter is inserted into a blood vessel, typically through the femoral artery in the leg or, in some cases, through the subclavian artery or the apex of the heart.

2. Valve Placement:

The artificial valve, which is mounted on a collapsible stent, is carefully guided through the catheter to the diseased aortic valve.

3. Deployment of the New Valve:

Once positioned correctly, the new valve expands, pushing the old valve’s leaflets aside and taking over its function to restore normal blood flow.

Who Needs TAVR?

TAVR is an effective treatment for patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis, particularly those who are:
High-risk or ineligible for open-heart surgery due to age, frailty, or other medical conditions.
Looking for a less invasive alternative to surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR).

Benefits of TAVR:

Minimally invasive – avoids large chest incisions.
Shorter hospital stay
Reduced recovery time
Lower risk of complications compared to open-heart surgery in high-risk patients.