TAVR
Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is a minimally invasive procedure that replaces a narrowing, diseased aortic valve (aortic stenosis). TAVR is an option if your condition is considered too high risk for traditional open-heart surgery.
Surgical heart valve treatment in Citrus County, Florida
Traditional open-heart aortic valve replacement surgery has long been the gold standard treatment for severe aortic valve stenosis. Now, there is an alternative procedure: transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).
Our highly skilled team is proud the Heart and Vascular Center at HCA Florida Citrus Hospital is the only facility in the county to perform this procedure. TAVR is a solution for many people who are not candidates for open-chest surgery because of age, history of heart disease, frailty or other health conditions.
Are you a candidate for TAVR?
To learn more about TAVR, or to find out if you're a candidate for the procedure, we can help you get a referral.
To learn more about TAVR, or to find out if you're a candidate for the procedure, we can help you get a referral.
Related Specialties
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TAVR surgical treatment
TAVR relieves the often debilitating symptoms associated with severe symptomatic native aortic valve stenosis.
What is aortic valve stenosis?
When the aortic valve of the heart fails to properly open, it restricts blood flow and the heart must work harder to pump blood through the narrowed valve. This is known as aortic stenosis and can lead to eventual heart failure.
This may cause symptoms such as:
- Breathlessness
- Chest pain (angina), pressure or tightness
- Decline in activity level or reduced ability to do normal activities requiring mild exertion
- Fainting (syncope)
- Heart failure
- Heart murmur
- Palpitations or a feeling of heavy, pounding or noticeable heartbeats
What is TAVR?
During this procedure, our specially trained TAVR surgeons and team replace a diseased aortic heart valve. We do this without opening the chest. Instead, we use a catheter to implant an expandable balloon valve into the heart.
Who can have TAVR?
TAVR heart surgery is not an appropriate option for everyone with severe aortic stenosis. For those people who have coexisting medical conditions, for example, the risks of TAVR may outweigh its benefits.
Our team evaluates each candidate to determine if this procedure will be the best treatment for your specific health condition.
How is TAVR different from traditional open-heart surgery?
TAVR and traditional open-heart surgery have many differences, but the primary difference is that TAVR is a minimally invasive procedure. This means smaller incisions and less scarring, pain and recovery time for you.
Other major ways in which TAVR differs include:
- It is a closed chest treatment.
- It eliminates the need for a heart-lung machine.
- It takes place while the heart is still beating.