Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement- Benefits and Risks

Posted by Dr Raghu Cardio on September 14th, 2022

When the aortic valve starts to narrow down due to the deposition of calcium ions, the heart will find it challenging to blood through that narrow opening. This condition is aortic valve calcification.  The patient will experience chest pain, irregular heartbeats, and even lethal conditions like cardiac arrest and heart failure. Open heart surgery was the sole option to treat the medical condition for an extended period. In this process, the dysfunctional valve removal from the body occurs, and valve replacement is initiated. The surgery is risky as it is highly invasive, and the incision mark will remain on the body for a prolonged period. Often patients can’t undergo this surgical procedure due to their health condition or age. A new method got approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2008, known as Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR). 

What is Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR)?

TAVR is done with minimal invasion to treat a medical condition called aortic valve stenosis or aortic valve calcification. The aortic valve, found between the left ventricle and the aorta, can not function properly in the medical condition mentioned earlier. TAVR will remove all the symptoms of aortic valve stenosis and get the blood flow back to normal. Suppose you are a patient suffering from stenosis or calcification in your aortic valve and have certain health complications. In that case, you should opt for TAVR. Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) is another name used to address the TAVR procedure.

Aortic valve stenosis happens due to calcification or valve thickening. As mentioned earlier, it is the alternate process of open heart surgery. Patients who undergo TAVR will have to stay in the hospital for a short period compared to those who have opted for open heart surgery. Your physician will recommend you TAVR in the following circumstances.

• Severe symptoms of aortic valve calcification.
• When the aortic valve is not operating correctly.
• Lung or kidney disease makes open heart surgery extremely difficult.

What are the Benefits of TAVR

So, if you are wondering what the advantages of TAVR are and why most doctors are recommending TAVR, then read on and find out the benefits of this procedure. 

1. Less invasive: In the traditional method, the entire chest wall is cut open to get to the heart. TAVR is a minimally invasive technique where a small balloon-like device opens up the arterial blockage.  
2. Smaller incision: The incision will only remain on a minor part of the chest in TAVR, whereas in traditional open heart surgery, the whole heart will be cut open. 

1. Lower risk of complications: Lower chances of bleeding, and as the heart is not stopped temporarily during the procedure, the chances of complications get reduced.

1. Shorter stay at the hospital: A patient needs to stay for a short period in the hospital for TAVR. 

1. Faster healing period: The wound heals faster. 

Complications That You Might Face After TAVR

Some risks are always involved in a medical procedure. Possible complications that you can face after TAVR are:

• Bleeding 
• Infection 
• Stroke
• Heart Attack
• Slipping out of the valve from the actual place
• Kidney disease
• Arrhythmias

Final Words

Your health will improve after a successful transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). This surgical procedure will surely make your heart function normally. Contact your physician in case of any post-surgical health complications.