Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR)

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What Is a TAVR Procedure?

Torso illustration with callouts showing TAVR access points

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is a minimally invasive procedure to replace the aortic valve in patients with severe aortic stenosis. TAVR is less invasive than open heart surgery, and the procedure typically takes one to two hours. Your care team will determine if you should have a mild sedative or general anesthesia.

At the start of the procedure, your doctor will make a small cut in the groin (1), the neck (2), or a space between your ribs (3).

The doctor will guide a thin, flexible tube with the heart valve into your artery and to your diseased valve. Throughout the procedure, your doctor will be viewing images of your heart.

The TAVR heart valve will be placed in your diseased valve. Your new valve will work immediately. Your doctor will remove the tube and close the incision.

TAVR Procedure Recovery

Patient walking with healthcare professional

After your procedure, you may spend a day or more in the intensive care unit (ICU) and another day or two in a patient room. Most patients begin walking within a day of their procedure.

Patient in hospital bed being evaluated by healthcare professionals

Before you leave the hospital, your doctor will explain what kinds of activities you can do, if you need to take medication, and when you will need to see your doctor again. You will also be given an information card about your new TAVR heart valve.

Example of Medtronic TAVR valve information card

Keep your Medtronic TAVR valve information card with you at all times.
Share this card with your family members and all members of your healthcare team, including your dentist. If you need an MRI, tell your doctor that you have a Medtronic TAVR heart valve.

What to Expect after
Your TAVR Surgery

Most patients report they start feeling better right away, but it can take a little longer for others. Many Medtronic TAVR patients report benefits such as:

Having more energy
Being able to do everyday activities
Breathing normally
Experiencing less pain
Feeling less anxious

Follow-up Visits
after TAVR Surgery

You will be asked to return to the valve clinic to have your heart valve checked at 30 days and one year after your TAVR procedure, and as recommended by your physician.

If you have concerns, discomfort, or changes in your health, be sure to let your doctor know right away.

There are significant risks associated with TAVR procedures. Each patient is different, and the potential risks and benefits are based on individual treatment and health conditions. Speak to your doctor for more information about what you can expect.

Medtronic TAVR Valve

The Medtronic TAVR heart valve is designed to work like your own heart valve.

The metal frame is a blend of nickel and titanium. This material allows the frame to shape itself to your anatomy.

There are two types of Medtronic heart valves — the Evolut™ R valve and the Evolut PRO+ valve — that come in different sizes.

Your doctor can help you decide which Medtronic TAVR heart valve is right for you.

The Evolut PRO+ valve has tissue leaflets and an outer wrap made from pig heart tissue.

Benefits and Risks

Benefits of TAVR

You should start feeling better right away. This is because your heart valve is now working properly. Some patients may take longer to feel better.

Most patients feel less pain and less anxious. They can take care of themselves better and go back to everyday activities.

Defining Your Surgical Risk

The Medtronic TAVR procedure is currently approved for:

Patients with heart disease due to severe aortic stenosis of their native valve
Patients with a failing surgical aortic valve who are at high risk or extreme risk for complications during surgery

Your doctor can determine your risk category based on several factors, including age and other medical conditions that might make surgery more dangerous for you.

TAVR Procedure Risks

Most medical procedures have risks. The Medtronic TAVR procedure’s most serious risks are:

Death
Stroke
Serious damage to the arteries
Serious bleeding (a bleeding event that requires a blood transfusion)
Need for permanent pacemaker

The chance of an adverse event from the TAVR procedure depends on many factors, including your underlying medical conditions.

The Medtronic TAVR Valve Cannot be Used for Certain People

The Medtronic TAVR valve should not be used in patients who:

Have an infection
Cannot take blood-thinning medicines
Have a reaction to some metals

If the Medtronic TAVR valve is used in these patients, it may not work right. This could make you feel sick or cause death.

For some patients, the Medtronic TAVR procedure risks may outweigh the benefits. Please talk to your doctor to decide whether this therapy is right for you.