Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR)

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.  

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. 

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.

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. 

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.   

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• How do I know if my Medtronic TAVR heart valve is working properly?
• What kinds of exercise can I do with a Medtronic TAVR valve?
• Is it safe to have an MRI with a Medtronic TAVR heart valve?
• Can the Medtronic TAVR heart valve be used for all patients?
• What are the risks of the Medtronic TAVR procedure?