What is transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR)?
Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is a procedure to implant a replacement aortic valve in the heart. It is also called transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). It is done to treat aortic valve stenosis. In aortic valve stenosis, the valve between your heart and the large blood vessel that carries blood to the body (aorta) has narrowed. That forces the heart to pump harder to get enough blood through the valve. TAVR can help some people feel better and live longer.
In TAVR, the doctor uses a thin, flexible tube called a catheter to put in the new heart valve. TAVR is not an open-heart surgery.
