Advanced Care for Aortic Heart Disease: Understanding TAVR as a Minimally Invasive Treatment Option

Receiving a heart diagnosis like aortic valve disease can be a frightening experience. Fortunately, breakthroughs in heart care mean there are more ways to treat valve disease than ever before.

Doctors at AHN Forbes hospital are at the forefront, offering advanced, minimally invasive procedures like Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement, or TAVR, that can help repair the damage and improve your quality of life.

What is valve disease?

Think of your heart as a house. The heart valves are the interior and exterior doors, making sure everything flows in the right direction. Specifically, the aortic valve controls blood flow out of the heart's main pumping chamber into the body's main artery.

When any of your valves are damaged or not working correctly, it causes your heart to work much harder to get your blood where it needs to go. This can lead to uncomfortable symptoms, and, if left untreated, serious medical emergencies.

Signs your heart aortic valve needs attention

It's easy to dismiss feeling tired or a little breathless as just "getting older." But sometimes, these feelings are actually signs that your heart needs some help.

If you notice any of these symptoms, especially during activity, make an appointment to talk to your doctor:

• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain, pressure, or tightness
• Leg swelling
• Dizziness or fainting spells
• Feeling unusually tired, or a general decline in your energy

"Many patients experience these symptoms and think it’s just a normal part of aging," says Abhas Khurana, MD, an interventional cardiologist at AHN Forbes Hospital. "But they could be caused aortic valve disease, so it’s important not to ignore them."

Understanding TAVR and its benefits

If your doctor diagnoses you with heart disease and says your aortic valve needs to be replaced, you might worry that it means major open-heart surgery. However, modern medicine now offers a less invasive option called TAVR.

With TAVR, a doctor guides a thin, flexible tube called a catheter through an artery — usually an artery in your leg — up to your heart. A replacement valve is then passed through the catheter. The new valve is expanded inside the diseased, old valve and immediately takes over regulating your blood flow.

The benefits of TAVR are significant:

• Minimally invasive care: No large incision.
• Less discomfort: Most patients only experience mild soreness and bruising.
• Shorter hospital stays: Most patients go home the next day.
• Quicker recovery: You can often return to your normal activities faster.

"Many patients are surprised to learn that TAVR allows us to replace the aortic valve with such a minimally invasive approach," says Dr. Khurana. “The recovery after TAVR compared to open-heart surgery is so much easier for both patients and their caregivers. Plus, it provides a safer treatment option for patients who can’t tolerate traditional surgery.”

Who is a candidate for minimally invasive heart valve repair with TAVR?

TAVR is for patients with a damaged or diseased aortic heart valve. This is most often due to a condition called aortic stenosis, a narrowing of the valve opening due to calcium build-up or regular wear and tear. Aortic stenosis is most common in older adults, especially those over 65. Other risk factors include a history of heart valve disease, prior chest radiation, kidney disease, or a congenital condition some people are born with called a bicuspid aortic valve.

Less commonly, TAVR can also be used in certain patients whose aortic valve fails to close completely and causes blood to leak backward, a condition known as aortic regurgitation. And, TAVR can be used to replace a previously implanted surgical tissue valve that is no longer working correctly. This is known as a "valve-in-valve" procedure.

Your journey to a healthier heart at AHN Forbes Hospital

If you or your doctor suspect you have valve disease like aortic stenosis, reach out to the expert providers at AHN Forbes Hospital, where your care team will work together to make the journey from diagnosis to treatment and recovery as smooth as possible. Here’s what you can expect:

1. Initial diagnosis: Aortic stenosis is usually first spotted through symptoms and confirmed with an echocardiogram (a heart ultrasound).
2. Valve team referral: You'll meet with our specialized valve team, including a cardiac surgeon and an interventional cardiologist.
3. Personalized plan: Together, we’ll decide on the best plan for replacing your valve.
4. Pre-procedure tests: You'll have a CT scan to help us size the new valve correctly and a heart catheterization to check the arteries around your heart.
5. Valve replacement: If TAVR is right for you, your surgeon will perform the minimally invasive procedure, and you’ll typically go home the next day.
6. Ongoing support: Our nurse coordinator will stay in close contact with you and your caregivers throughout the entire process, and you’ll have regular follow-ups with your cardiology team.

Find your path to relief at AHN

Heart valve disease like aortic stenosis doesn't have to limit your life. Dr. Khurana and the advanced structural heart care team at AHN Forbes Hospital are committed to providing expert, compassionate care. They’ll work with you to find the safest and most effective treatment plan to help reduce your symptoms, restore function, and improve your quality of life.

To schedule an appointment with an AHN provider, call (412) DOCTORS 412-362-8677.