Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR)

What is aortic stenosis?

Aortic stenosis affects many people over the age of 65. It occurs when calcium buildup causes narrowing of your heart’s aortic valve and restricts normal blood flow to your body.

Treating aortic stenosis

Medication cannot slow the progression of aortic stenosis or reverse it. If you have aortic stenosis, the only effective treatment is aortic valve replacement.

How does TAVR treat aortic stenosis?

TAVR is a minimally invasive procedure to replace the aortic valve. If you previously had a tissue valve placed during open-heart surgery, your doctor may recommend a "valve-in-valve" TAVR procedure to insert a mechanical valve inside of the damaged tissue valve. 

The procedure is performed through tiny incisions, and there is no need to stop your heart or use a heart-lung machine for breathing.

Your doctor will use imaging technology and a thin tube called a catheter to carry the new valve through your artery. It will be placed in the diseased or damaged valve while your heart continues to beat. The innovative design of the mechanical valve used by the ProHealth heart team helps reduce leakage of blood back into the heart, resulting in better outcomes for patients.

Advanced hybrid operating room

Look to our experienced ProHealth team to replace your diseased aortic heart valve in our high-tech hybrid operating room at ProHealth Waukesha Memorial Hospital. Your heart care team uses advanced catheterization imaging equipment to provide a safe, efficient procedure.

Benefits of TAVR

Stay close to home and get treatment at a local hospital you know and trust. Smaller incisions with the TAVR minimally invasive procedure mean you may experience:

• Better outcomes
• Easier and faster recovery compared to open-heart surgery
• Less time in the operating room
• Lower risk of stroke

Your ProHealth TAVR team

Your TAVR care team at ProHealth includes:

• Anesthesiologists
• Catheterization lab staff
• Cardiothoracic surgeons
• Echocardiographers
• Interventional cardiologists
• Imaging specialists
• Surgical staff

Your valve program coordinator will help you  schedule appointments, obtain medical records and answer questions about ProHealth services.