Treatment Services

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement

Bradenton Cardiology Center offers the minimally invasive transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedure to patients with severe aortic stenosis.

The TAVR procedure is an alternative to traditional open-heart surgery that may improve the quality of life for those with severe aortic stenosis. During the procedure, a new valve made from biological pericardial tissue is placed inside the diseased valve, similar to how a stent is placed inside an artery. The TAVR procedure doesn’t require open-heart surgery or removing the old valve. The procedure is performed while the heart is beating. There is no need for a heart-lung machine.

During the procedure, a catheter is advanced into the pumping chamber of the heart through an artery usually in the leg. For patients with significant arterial disease, alternative access sites are discussed with a designated heart team for the safest procedure.

TAVR is approved for low-surgical-risk patients who have severe aortic stenosis of a native valve or a malfunctioning prior placed biological surgical valve to avoid re-operation. TAVR is indicated for severe aortic stenosis.