Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR)

For decades, the gold standard of treatment for people with severe aortic stenosis, or narrowing of the aortic valve opening in the heart, was an extensive and risky open-heart surgery. Today, new minimally invasive procedures like transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), available at Adventist Health Glendale, are redefining the way aortic stenosis is treated.

What is TAVR?

The TAVR procedure is for people who have severe aortic stenosis and are at intermediate or greater risk for open-heart surgery. During the transfemoral approach, a catheter is used to insert a state-of-the-art artificial valve through the femoral artery in the groin area. The catheter guides the artificial valve to the aortic valve, where the leaflets of the diseased valve will hold it in place.

Once secured, the new valve will begin working immediately. Because the procedure is less invasive than open-heart surgery, patients experience faster relief of symptoms, shorter hospital stays and a quicker return to normal activities.

How the TAVR journey begins

All potential TAVR candidates are evaluated by a specially trained TAVR heart team, including two cardiothoracic surgeons and interventional cardiologists. The TAVR screening process begins with a comprehensive evaluation and a multidisciplinary meeting to make sure you are a good candidate for TAVR.

Learn more about TAVR

Click here to learn more about the TAVR procedure at Adventist Health Glendale

To find out if you are a candidate for TAVR at Adventist Health Glendale, talk to your cardiologist. For questions or for a referral, please call our valve clinic coordinator, Leslie Williams, RN, at (818) 409-8143 or fax (866) 394-3909.