Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR)
Choose VHC Health for a safer, less invasive option to treat aortic valve stenosis. It's available near you in Arlington and the DC metro.
What’s Aortic Valve Stenosis?
Aortic valve stenosis happens when your aortic valve narrows and doesn’t open all the way. This makes your heart work harder to push blood out to your body. When this happens, you may feel:
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness
- Fatigue and trouble keeping up with activities
- Swelling in your legs
Without treatment, the condition can get worse and lead to serious heart problems.
What’s TAVR?
TAVR gives you a new aortic valve without removing the old one. Your doctor places a new valve inside the old valve using a thin tube called a catheter. TAVR is less invasive than open‑heart surgery, which means you recover faster and feel better sooner. You may notice improved breathing, more energy, and a better quality of life after the procedure.
Is TAVR Right for Me?
Talk with your doctor about whether TAVR is a good choice for you. Your doctor may suggest it if open‑heart surgery is too risky for your health. Before deciding, your care team may order imaging scans, blood work, and heart function studies. These tests help make sure TAVR will work well for you and keep you as safe as possible.
What to Expect
Your care team will explain how to get ready for TAVR. At the Louise Sands Olmstead Cardiac Catheterization Lab, you can count on experienced staff who focus on comfort and safety. You'll likely receive light sedation instead of general anesthesia, so recovery is easier.
During TAVR, your doctor makes a small incision in your leg, chest, or another area. A catheter (tube) is placed into the incision and guided to your heart, where it places the new valve. The valve expands inside the old one and begins working right away. After that, the catheter is removed, and the incision is closed.
After TAVR
We'll watch you closely in the hospital while you recover. You can likely sit up, eat, and walk soon after the procedure. You might go home after just one day. Your care team will give you instructions, set up follow‑up visits, and talk with you about heart‑healthy habits to keep your new valve working well. You may also benefit from cardiac rehab to regain strength through exercise.
