TAVR procedure

The transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedure is a minimally invasive heart operation to relieve aortic valve stenosis and is an alternative to open heart surgery.

The TAVR procedure allows our cardiac team to replace a malfunctioning aortic heart valve in a patient’s heart with a balloon-expandable replacement that can regulate the heart’s blood flow and restore proper oxygen levels. Once the new valve is in place, the symptoms of aortic stenosis such as shortness of breath, fatigue and dizziness improve.

What is the advantage of TAVR?

The TAVR procedure is much less invasive than open heart surgery for patients with aortic stenosis which means less time in the hospital and a faster recovery.

The TAVR procedure at Northbay Health

The TAVR procedure is performed in Northbay Health Northbay Medical Center’s new hybrid operating room equipped with high-resolution digital imaging for complex surgeries. TAVR generally takes 1–2 hours and patients usually stay in the hospital just a couple of days. Your specially trained cardiologist will make a small incision in an artery at your groin and guide a thin tube with your new heart valve into your diseased valve. The tube is removed and the incision is closed. Your new valve begins working immediately.

You will wake up in Intensive Care where we can monitor your new valve closely. During that first day you will be up and walking, and then it’s one more day in the hospital and you will be on your way home.

Your cardiologist will see you in the office a week later and then in a month. After your first week with your new valve you’ll be ready to start cardiac rehab which will help you regain strength and increase your stamina.