What is Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) Surgery?

Transcatheter Model with Replaceable Aortic Valves/transcatheter Aortic Valve/simulation in Medical Education

Traditional surgical aortic valve replacement requires opening the thoracic cavity to expose the heart, and the operation is performed under the circumstance of cardiopulmonary bypass to support cardiac arrest, which is more traumatic.

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is a minimally invasive valve replacement surgery. The patient does not open the chest, but uses the interventional catheter technology to puncture the femoral artery and deliver the treated prosthetic heart valve retrogradely to the main artery. Aortic valve position, aortic valve replacement is performed without processing the original valve, and valve function is restored.

The operation time of TAVR operation is short, the surgical trauma is small, and the patient can go down and move like a normal person the next day. It is one of the most advanced surgical techniques in the world today, and it is a more appropriate treatment strategy for high-risk patients.

How to choose between traditional surgery and TAVR?

At present, traditional surgery is still the preferred treatment for valve replacement surgery, which is suitable for young patients with good cardiac function and strong surgical tolerance. The positioning of TAVR is an alternative for patients who cannot tolerate traditional surgery. Patients who are suitable for TAVR surgery should meet the following conditions:

(1) After the replacement of the aortic valve, mitral valve or tricuspid valve biological valve, the valve is dysfunctional or damaged, requiring reoperation;

(2) Patients with aortic valve disease over the age of 70 (severe stenosis or regurgitation);

(3) Poor cardiac function, unable to tolerate traditional surgery, extremely risky or unsolvable by traditional surgery.

The above are only the preliminary screening conditions. It is recommended to consult a professional cardiac surgeon for specific conditions and treatment strategies.

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