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Why Do You Need Transcatheter Aortic Valve
Why Do You Need Transcatheter Aortic ValveReplacement?If you have been diagnosed with aortic valve disease and need a replacement valve, your healthcare providermay recommend a type of surgery called TAVR, transcatheter aortic valve replacement.This procedure is also called TAVI, transcatheter aortic valve implantation.In this special type of heart surgery your damaged aortic valve is replaced with a new valve.The surgery uses a technique that is less stressful on your body than traditional surgery.Your heart is a muscle that pumps blood through your body as it beats. The heart has several parts:Four chambers that pump blood as they squeeze with every beat.And four valves that make sure the blood is flowing between chambers in the right direction.When your heart beats, it sends blood out to the body through a major artery called the aorta. The aorta is thebiggest artery in your body. It may be more than one inch wide where it connects to your heart!The aortic valve is located between your aorta and the heart’s main pumping chamber, or the left ventricle.Every time your heart beats, the aortic valve opens to allow blood to leave the heart, then it closes again so noblood can flow backward.If your aortic valve doesn’t work right, it may need to be replaced. The most common reason this happens is acondition called aortic stenosis.Aortic stenosis means your aortic valve is too narrow, so not enough blood can flow out to your body. It is acommon heart valve disease, but it can be very serious.Symptoms include trouble breathing, chest pain, fainting, weakness, and trouble performing daily activities.Aortic stenosis is most common among older people whose heart valves have been hardened over time bycalcium deposits or scarring.Without treatment, aortic stenosis can lead to heart failure.The good news is that aortic valve replacement can relieve your symptoms and lower your risk of more seriouscomplications.The better news is that the TAVR surgery is known as a minimally invasive surgery.This means there is less stress on your body, an easier recovery, and less time spent in the hospital thantraditional open-heart surgery.If you have questions about your TAVR surgery, make sure to talk to your healthcare team about what toexpect and how you can prepare.This program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness,or suitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.PRG57380A EN WhyDoYouNeedTranscatheterAorticValveReplacement.pdf© The Wellness NetworkPage 1 of 1
Heart & Vascular Center
Watch this animation to see how surgeons restore normal blood flow within a heart that has narrowed or blocked arteries.
Learn what you need to do in preparation for your heart surgery.
Watch this to learn what to expect before and during the TAVR procedure.
Your doctor might have recommended transcatheter mitral valve repair or replacement. Watch this to understand how and when it is performed.
