This procedure is a less invasive alternative to the traditionalopen-heart surgerymethod of replacing a heart valve.
TAVR is also being considered more and more for people who don’t have such pre-operative concerns.
What Is TAVR?
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An aortic valve replacement involves the implantation of an expandableartificial valvemade of metal and animal tissue into the heart.
The aorta, which emerges directly from the heart, is the largest artery you have.
Its branches carry oxygenated blood from the heart to the rest of your body.
An interventional cardiologist or a heart surgeon would perform your TAVR.
This could make TAVR more risky than beneficial for you.
The guidelines regarding the indications for selecting this procedure instead of an open aortic valve replacement are changing.
Potential Risks
Therisks of general anesthesiaand any surgical procedure apply to TAVR.
This surgery also poses a risk of some additional concerns.
Possible complications of TAVR replacement include:
Complications after heart surgery can be serious and may be life-threatening.
Purpose of TAVR
A TAVR is done to replacenot repaira damaged aortic heart valve.
When the aortic valve is damaged due to calcification, its cusps do not move the way they should.
Aortic valve disease is common and typically develops with age.
The condition can become so severe that it will be life-threatening if left untreated.
Replacement of the aortic valve can alleviate symptoms of aortic valve disease and may prolong life.
A transcatheter procedure typically allows for a faster recovery and carries the same risk of surgical complications.
How to Prepare
Before having a TAVR, you will have an assessment of your aortic valve.
Measurements of the valve and the aorta will be taken in preparation for your surgery.
Your procedure will be done in a hospital operating room or procedural suite.
What to Wear
you might wear anything comfortable to your surgery appointment.
You will have to wear a hospital gown during a TAVR.
What to Bring
When you go to your surgery appointment, bring your identification and insurance information.
If you will be paying for a portion of your surgery, you should bring a form of payment.
Leave any valuables at home.
You should have someone who can drive you home when you are discharged from the hospital.
You may have same-day tests, including a CBC as well as blood chemistry andurinalysis.
You may have aurinary catheterplaced before you go to the operating room or after you get there.
An intravenous (IV, or in a vein) line placed in your hand or arm.
You will have your temperature, blood pressure, pulse, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation level checked.
Your anesthesia will be started as an injection into your IV.
The catheter is placed into the artery through the skin incision.
When in place, the valve replacement is deployed, allowing it to open to its full size.
The diseased valve is not typically removed, although atherosclerotic plaque may be resected from the valve tissue.
After the replacement valve is properly positioned, your surgeon will observe its function using imaging studies.
If the placement is correct and the valve is functioning properly, the catheter will be removed.
If any adjustment is needed, that will be done before the catheter is removed.
When the procedure is complete, anesthesia will be stopped or reversed.
After the Surgery
In the recovery area, you will begin to wake up.
You may feel a little groggy.
The medical team in the recovery area will help you walk and give you medication for pain as needed.
You may also get a prescription for pain medication to take at home.
After one day or a few days, you will be discharged.
Recovery
You should feel comfortable as you are recovering after your valve replacement.
You may begin to feel more energetic than you did prior to your surgery within days of your procedure.
Avoid driving and physically demanding activities like heavy lifting, pushing, or pulling.
The small incision TAVR employs should heal within about a week.
you’ve got the option to take pain medication as directed.
You will need to get up and walk around to avoid complications like blood clots.
Your healthcare provider may even prescribe a target number of steps for you to take.
You will need to keep your wound clean and dry as it is healing.
Don’t use creams, lotions, or powders on the surgical area.
Replace your bandage as directed by your healthcare provider.
Don’t place the ice pack directly on your skin.
Coping With Recovery
As you are recovering, you may need to adjust to taking new medications.
Blood thinners can make you prone to bleeding, so you have to be careful about avoiding injury.
Heart disease is usually managed with a combination of medication and lifestyle adjustments.
You will also need periodic monitoring of your heart function, which can include an EKG and an echocardiogram.
Depending on the valve that you have, you may need a replacement after 10 or 15 years.
If your valve begins to lose optimal function, you may develop symptoms of aortic valve disease.
This may require you to have another key in of heart surgery after your TAVR.
Lifestyle Adjustments
Overall, you should feel better after your TAVR than you did before the surgery.
The most important adjustment you have to consider is the risk of bleeding due to blood thinners.
The surgery would give you a faster recovery time than open-heart valve replacement.
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