TRANSCATHETER AORTIC VALVE REPLACEMENT (TAVR)

About: 

• Names: Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is also known as transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). 
  
  
• What is a TAVR? This minimally invasive surgical procedure repairs the valve without removing the old, damaged valve. Instead, it wedges a replacement valve into the aortic valve's place. 
  
  
• Working: 
  • Somewhat similar to a stent placed in an artery, the TAVR approach delivers a fully collapsible replacement valve to the valve site through a catheter. 
    
    
  • Once the new valve is expanded, it pushes the old valve leaflets out of the way and the tissue in the replacement valve takes over the job of regulating blood flow. 
    
    
  
  
  
• How is TAVR different from the standard valve replacement? 
  • Usually valve replacement requires an open heart procedure with a “sternotomy.”, in which the chest is surgically separated (open) for the procedure. 
    
    
  • The TAVR or TAVI procedures can be done through very small openings that leave all the chest bones in place.