Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR)
TAVR is an example of a minimally invasive procedure. Our UCSF-affiliated
surgeons have been performing TAVR’s as a team for many years. During
a TAVR procedure, a critically narrowed aortic valve is replaced without
opening the chest cavity.
An interventional cardiologist along with a cardiothoracic surgeon will
work together in the TAVR procedure. They will guide a new valve to the
heart through a small puncture in the leg while the heart is still beating,
using guidance from X-ray and echocardiography. The new valve is placed
over the old damage valve and wedged into place. The patient can usually
go home the next day and return to normal activities in a few days.