What to expect with the TAVR procedure

What to expect with the TAVR procedure

Preparing for your TAVR procedure

If you’ve been told you need an aortic valve replacement, you probably have a lot of questions and concerns. To help guide important discussions with your doctor, we’ve compiled a helpful list of questions.

When you consult with your heart team, it’s helpful to have a friend or family member come along to hear the information first-hand, ask questions, and to take notes. It’s also advisable to have a family member or caregiver at home to help for the first few days after the procedure, as you recover.

When you’re contemplating a replacement heart valve, it’s easy to feel a little overwhelmed. To help you talk through all the important details with your doctor, we compiled a helpful list of questions.

To access your heart, your doctor will make a small incision in your artery or blood vessel, most often in the groin, and insert a small, hollow tube, called a catheter.

Step 1

The artificial valve is compressed and placed onto the catheter. The catheter and the compressed valve will travel through a large blood vessel until they reach the diseased aortic valve.

Step 2

Your doctor will expand the artificial valve pushing the diseased parts of the aortic valve leaflets out of the way. To guide the positioning and placement of your new valve, your doctor will use special X-ray equipment.

Step 3

Once in place, the new valve will begin to function immediately and restore healthy blood flow. Your doctor will then remove the catheter, close the incision, and transfer you to a recovery area.

Understanding risks

A valve replacement is a major heart procedure. There are risks with all medical procedures. Your heart team will help you understand the risks and benefits for you.

Learn more about risks

After your TAVR procedure

The time spent in the hospital will depend on how quickly you recover.

Before leaving the hospital, you will be given instructions regarding follow-up office and/or clinic visit appointments. Ask questions if you have any concerns about your new heart valve or medications you’ll be taking.

Resources

Find frequently asked questions, helpful checklists, informational brochures, patient stories, and other resources to help better understand your diagnosis and next steps.

Explore all resources

View the medical glossary

Explore a medical glossary of terms, designed to help you understand complex language that you may hear from your heart team.

View the medical glossary

*Illustrations for information purposes – not indicative of actual size or clinical outcome.