Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR)

TAVR does not require making an incision in the chest for open-heart surgery. It is a minimally invasive surgery.

The advantages of TAVR include:

• Faster recovery
• Reduced risk of complications
• Shorter hospital stay

If you need TAVR, your doctor will explain the risks and benefits.

After TAVR, you will have regular visits with your doctor. You will also have imaging tests to ensure the new valve works properly. Tell your doctor about any new or worsening symptoms, including:

• Dizziness or light-headedness
• Extreme tiredness with activity
• Sudden weight gain
• Swelling of the ankles
• Swelling, redness or tenderness at the catheter site

Emory Healthcare was the first site in Georgia to perform TAVR without open-heart surgery, and our team has performed more of these procedures than any other health care system in Georgia. We offer several FDA-approved, minimally invasive, catheter-based therapies, as well as clinical trials that provide up-and-coming treatments. This combination of collaborative care and advanced treatments leads to better outcomes for patients.

The Emory TAVR program began in 2007, and to-date more than 5,000 patients have received this groundbreaking therapy with excellent outcomes. For appropriate patients, TAVR can safely be conducted without general anesthesia, transesophageal echo, or a ventilator. Our vast experience allows for the decreased length of stay in the hospital.