Minimally Invasive Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) in Southern California

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), or transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), places an artificial heart valve inside a malfunctioning valve. Because it’s a minimally invasive procedure, recovery time and risk of complications are reduced compared to traditional open heart surgery. 

Heart disease is still the No. 1 killer for both men and women in the US. Dignity Health Southern California offers heart services and cardiovascular treatments, which range from prevention and advanced diagnostic procedures to chronic disease management and state-of-the-art treatment protocols. Above all, our doctors, nurses, and support staff are committed to treating the whole person, not just the disease. Find a Doctor who performs transcatheter aortic valve replacement at St. Bernardine Medical Center in San Bernardino. 

Why Do Doctors Recommend Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation?

Doctors use TAVR to treat severe aortic valve stenosis, a narrowing of the aorta. This disease makes it hard for blood to flow from the heart into the aorta and on to the rest of the body.

TAVR makes it easier for blood to flow through the aorta. It can improve symptoms of aortic valve stenosis, such as heart failure, chest pain, irregular heart rhythms, and fainting.

This procedure is usually reserved for people who are poor candidates for open heart surgery due to their overall health.

What to Expect During Your Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement is performed in a Dignity Health Southern California hospital under general anesthesia. Due to the complexity of the procedure, it requires a team of specialists from multiple fields, including radiology, cardiac and cardiothoracic surgery, and cardiology.

First, your surgeon will make an incision in a major artery in the chest or groin to access the aortic valve. Then, a thin, flexible catheter is inserted into the artery and carefully threaded to the location of the damaged heart valve. The new valve sits inside the old valve and takes over its functions.

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement Recovery at Dignity Health Southern California

Because TAVR is a minimally invasive procedure, the recovery time generally is shorter than for an open heart valve surgery. However, you should expect to stay in a Dignity Health Southern California hospital for several days after the procedure. 

Because it restores the flow of oxygenated blood throughout the body, many people feel better soon after the procedure. Talk to your doctor to see if TAVR is a possible treatment for you.

Dignity Health offers surgical treatments for cardiovascular conditions, including transcatheter aortic valve replacement, in Southern California.