Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR)

TAVR is a minimally invasive treatment option for Aortic Valve Stenosis and is an alternative to open-aortic valve replacement surgery. TAVR is a procedure in which a small cut is made in the groin area and a thin, flexible tube with a new artificial heart valve is guided through an artery in the leg up to the diseased heart valve. Once the new valve is placed into the patient’s diseased heart valve, it begins working immediately.

Patients, on average, have a one-night hospital stay and are discharged home the next day. Patients are expected to participate in an outpatient cardiac rehab program, starting a few weeks after the procedure.

What Is Aortic Valve Stenosis or Aortic Stenosis?

Aortic valve stenosis, or aortic stenosis, is a type of heart valve disease (valvular heart disease). The valve between the lower left heart chamber and the body’s main artery (aorta) is narrowed and doesn’t open fully. This reduces or restricts blood flow from the heart to the aorta and the rest of the body.

TAVR May Be Right for You If You Experience

Chest pain
Rapid, fluttering heartbeat
Trouble breathing or feeling short of breath
Feeling dizzy or light-headed, even fainting
Difficulty walking short distances
Swollen ankles or feet
Difficulty lying flat or needing to sleep sitting up
Decline in activity level or reduced ability to do normal activities

Benefits of TAVR

Decreased shortness of breath
Feeling more confident in daily activities
Increased energy
Less dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting

Hear From the Expert

Learn more about the procedure by listening to Dr. Schott’s podcast, Aortic Stenosis and TAVR With Dr. Schott.

Meet The Team

Jason Schott, DO
Interventional Cardiologist

Geoffrey R. Cousins, MD, FACS
Cardiothoracic Surgeon

Kaitlyn Mullenix, RN
Structural Heart Coordinator

Cassie Swick, RN
Structural Heart Coordinator

Learn More

For more information about the TAVR procedure, or to set up an initial appointment to see if it’s right for you, please contact either of our Structural Heart Coordinators at (740) 434-7768.