TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR OPTIONS
Learn if Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement
is Right for You
THE PROCEDURE
This minimally invasive surgical procedure repairs the valve without removing the old, damaged valve. Instead, it wedges a replacement valve into the aortic valve’s place.
VALVE-WITHIN-VALVE — HOW DOES IT WORK?
Somewhat similar to a stent placed in an artery, the TAVR approach delivers a fully collapsible replacement valve to the valve site through a catheter. Once the new valve is expanded, it pushes the old valve leaflets out of the way and the tissue in the replacement valve takes over the job of regulating blood flow.
WHO IS A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR THIS TYPE OF VALVE SURGERY?
At this time the procedure is reserved for those people for whom an open heart procedure poses intermediate risk. For that reason, most people who have this procedure are in their 70’s or 80’s and often have other medical conditions that make them a better candidate for this type of surgery. TAVR can be an effective option to improve quality of life in patients who otherwise have limited choices for repair of their aortic valve.
A LESS INVASIVE ALTERNATIVE TREATMENT AVAILABLE
FOR PEOPLE DIAGNOSED WITH SEVERE AORTIC STENOSIS
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Aortic stenosis (AS) is one of the most common and most serious valve disease problems affecting approximately 2.5 million people in the U.S. 75 years or older.
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The symptoms of AS are commonly misunderstood by patients as ‘normal’ signs of aging. Common symptoms include: fainting, breathlessness, chest pain, pressure or tightness, and decline in activity level or reduced ability to do routine physical activities.
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After the onset of symptoms, patients with severe AS have a survival rate as low as 50% at 2 years and 20% at 5 years without aortic valve replacement.
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Traditional treatment for AS is open-heart surgery. Historically, such patients often refuse or are denied surgery.
At this time the procedure is reserved for those people for whom an open heart procedure poses intermediate risk. For that reason, most people who have this procedure are in their 70s or 80 and often have other medical conditions that make them a better candidate for this type of surgery.
TAVR can be an effective option to improve quality of life in patients who otherwise have limited choices for repair of their aortic valve.
Who is a good candidate for this type of valve surgery?
Who is a good candidate for TAVR?
Is TAVR Right For You?
TAVR is giving new hope to people suffering from severe aortic stenosis who are at increased risk for open heart surgery. To see if the procedure is right for you, ask your cardiologist who can evaluate you for all of your treatment options. Only a TAVR Doctor can evaluate you for both TAVR and open heart surgery to determine what the best treatment option is for you.
“Our results have been excellent! Patients who undergo this procedure not only experience a shorter hospital stay and faster recovery, but a vastly improved quality of life.”