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Aortic Valve Replacement with TAVR: What is it like?

Heart & Blood Health | Last Active: Apr 10 8:30am | Replies (66)
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@susankvan

I have aortic valve stenosis. I hear there are 2 ways to fix this. Does anyone know how they determind which way to fix it either TVAR or open heart? I am 70 years old.

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Replies to "I have aortic valve stenosis. I hear there are 2 ways to fix this. Does anyone..."
Justin McClanahan, Moderator | @JustinMcClanahan | Mar 5 9:20am

Hello @susankvan,

I merged your discussion with an existing discussion titled:
"Aortic Valve Replacement with TAVR: What is it like?"
- https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/aortic-valve-replacement/

Many members have discussed both the TAVR as well as open heart options like the SAVR. @hikerguy62 broke down some of the differences in detail. @rknee and @forserco shared their recovery experience. @bitranch shared why the TAVR method was not a good fit for them and how treatment can depend greatly on your individual situation.

@susankvan, have both options been suggested to you as potential treatments?

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mone2 | @mone2 | Apr 8 10:11am

Hi @susankvan
I just had a TAVR at Mayo Clinic Rochester in January at age 75. They gave me a choice of Open Heart Surgery or TAVR. You need to be relatively healthy to get the OHS option, if you are too feeble to withstand that they will only offer TAVR. They also do a CT scan a week before the surgery to make sure your femoral artery is big enough to a TAVR and also to get the exact measurements to size the new valve. I opted for TAVR because of the much shorter recovery time and risk factor, I don't like the idea of having my heart stopped and being put on a heart-lung machine and having the pain and long recovery associated with OHS. I was conscious during my TAVR and only needed Tylenol for a few days after it for the pain in my groin area. I live alone and was able to recover at home with not issues. I do recommend cardiac rehab though, that has been great in building my strength back up.

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