Heart Hospital of Austin offers a safe and effective procedure that has given new life and new hope to thousands of patients around the world. The transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedure enables the placement of a new aortic valve into the body via a catheter that is inserted through an incision in the leg, and guided up to the heart through the circulatory system. This new treatment method can offer a much shorter recovery time — one to two weeks, versus six to eight weeks with the traditional sternotomy (open chest surgery).

“This is truly a collaborative approach to valve replacement. By combining the skills and knowledge of both surgeon and cardiologist, we are able to provide additional treatment options for patients suffering from valvular disease.”

To learn more or to find out if you are a candidate, call (512) 407-VALV (8258)

The Benefits of TAVR:

• Performed without stopping the heart
• No need for cardiopulmonary bypass
• Minimally invasive procedure that can result in a shorter hospital stay and faster recovery time

Qualifications for Potential Candidates:

Patients with severe aortic stenosis with a history of:

• Previous sternotomy
• Previous radiation to the chest
• Porcelain (calcified) aorta
• Cerebral or peripheral vascular disease, lung disease, chronic kidney disease, or other coexisting medical conditions

The leaflets of a stenotic or calcified aortic heart valve are unable to open wide, obstructing blood flow from the left ventricle into the aorta. The narrowed valve allows less oxygenated blood to flow through and as a result, less oxygen-rich blood is pumped out to the body which may cause symptoms like severe shortness of breath.

What is a Severe Aortic Stenosis

Severe aortic stenosis is a condition in which the opening of the aortic valve becomes narrow, restricting blood flow from the heart. Symptoms include chest pain and chest pressure. It can also cause blood to back up into the lungs, resulting in shortness of breath. It often develops debilitating symptoms that can restrict normal day-to-day activities, such as walking short distances or climbing stairs.

“Over time, the valve can become calcified, preventing it from opening and obstructing blood flow. Open-chest surgery is the traditional treatment method for this condition, but catheter-based valve replacement gives hope to patients who cannot undergo surgery for a variety of reasons.”

Juhana Karha, M.D.
Medical Director Heart Valve Clinic
Interventional Cardiologist, Austin Heart

Heart Hospital of Austin’s quality outcomes and technologically advanced facility lend to the many reasons it is among the first hospitals in the nation selected to receive and treat patients with the TAVR technology since its FDA approval.

The Heart Valve Clinic at Heart Hospital of Austin Celebrates a Successful Year!