1. < Heart & Blood Health

Aortic Valve Replacement with TAVR: What is it like?

Posted by karen1945 @karen1945, May 17, 2021

I am 75 years old with severe aortic stenosis. My doctor has recommended a valve replacement with the TAVR procedure. I had a heart catheterization two weeks ago that precipitated a “brain attack” that was terrifying. I spent that night on the neurology floor, and was released the next afternoon after completely recovering from the stroke. Now I am terrified of having them going into my arteries and heart again, for fear of another stroke that could leave me permanently incapacitated, or even kill me. I’m scheduled to have a CT cardiac angiogram exam to see if the TAVR approach is even possible. I don’t know whether to take my chances with the stenosis and let nature take its course, or risk the procedure. Before the stroke I was okay with it, but now it seems that I could be cutting my life short, rather than being able to enjoy what time is left. I cry a lot and pray a lot. I simply have no idea what I should do. My symptoms are mild. I was chalking them up to old age before I was told I had severe stenosis. I’m told the risks of the procedure are small, but if it affects you, it’s 100% 😞

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jamese | @jamese | 4 days ago
In reply to @gloaming "Very soon, but it depends on the individual. You and your surgeon should liaise closely and..." + (show)
@gloaming

Very soon, but it depends on the individual. You and your surgeon should liaise closely and be 'together' on when you feel well enough to start putting some oomph into your daily exercise or strenuous work. For you, it may be inside of a week, but it may be closer to two weeks.

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Thanks for the input

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grands08 | @grands08 | 3 days ago
In reply to @wisco50 "Just an FYI - When I worked as RN, I took care of many TAVR patients..." + (show)
@wisco50

Just an FYI - When I worked as RN, I took care of many TAVR patients in recovery room. They did well and much nicer than a huge surgery! I agree with davej! Do this now, who knows what might be available if need arises again! Medical innovations go by leaps and bounds. I have been retired x 6 years and we did them for a few years then, so there should be good data available on lasting effects/success/any long term complications?!

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I am excited to have read your reply to Dave - I am 74 years old and was diagnosed with a Low Flow Paradoxical Aortic Stenosis. I live in Mpls and plan on going to Mayo Clinic Rochester. I have been in a watch and wait situation because I am Asymptomatic. The change in fall of 2024 from 1-2 years watch Moderate and wait to January 2025 Severe category evan though I still feel asymptomatic. I have gone back to Mayo for testing since 2019 with Mankad and Michelena . I have been in discussions with the TAVOR contacts at Metropolitan Heart and Vascular - Dr Chambers, Drs Funke and Benner in Charleston SC, whom my children know. Of the list 0f 10 Interventional Cardiologists that were sent to me via a portal, I am struggling with not knowing them and have not had an appointment with them, I am scheduled with Gulati August 19th. My grown children who are in medical sales in Charleston want me to obtain information on the interventionalists and to understand who they are and their backgrounds, surgery success, number of surgeries etc before I agree to surgery or go back to Charleston to have the surgery. I have been a patient since 2019 when I had an appt with Dr. Stuart in Orthopedics for a knee issue and because he was a USA Hockey coach that took my son to Japan and was the team Dr. Is there a site other than the Mayo Clinic site which gives a bio on the Interventionalists? I also see that Cleveland Clinic has done 1800 plus TAVR Aortic Replacements and the information I have seen indicates that Mayo Rochester has only completed 800+ The South Carolina Dr. has completed many TAVR Aortic Replacements. My question is how do I "really" find information on the Mayo TAVR Drs to ease my childrens fears?

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jamese | @jamese | 2 days ago

Thanks for your post. I too am asymptomatic… to the extent I still exercise 3 plus days a week / am active as a substitute school teacher for the last 2 years ( after retiring ) / up a 6:30 every day and active throughout. Yet I have had my cardiologist and the heart vascular valve team following me every 6 months for the last 3 years and have it confirmed I have aortic stenosis and regurgitation that is not improving. So TAVR recommended before summer is out. My staff is out of an excellent hospital just outside Chicago in Elk Grove Village.

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grands08 | @grands08 | 2 days ago
In reply to @hopeful33250 "Hello @karen1948 and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I can certainly understand your concern about having..." + (show)
@hopeful33250

Hello @karen1948 and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I can certainly understand your concern about having another procedure that might result in another "brain attack" and/or stroke.

I would encourage you to get a second opinion at a heart care center. Please know that it is always a patient's right to get a second opinion.
There are several of these centers in different parts of the U.S. I see from your profile that you are a resident of Florida. Are you aware that there is a Mayo Clinic facility in Jacksonville, FL?

Here is the link to get appointment information, https://www.mayoclinic.org/appointments?

Did your current cardiologist give you any reason in particular why you had this happened to you after the catheterization?

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I agree I was told TAVR is the way go for valve replacement. Who was your surgeon at Mayowere you in Florida?

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1 reply
grands08 | @grands08 | 2 days ago
In reply to @grands08 "I agree I was told TAVR is the way go for valve replacement. Who was your..." + (show)
@grands08

I agree I was told TAVR is the way go for valve replacement. Who was your surgeon at Mayowere you in Florida?

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I am scheduled to have a Low Flow Paradoxical Aortic Valve Replacement I will have that Mayo Clinic Rochester. My question is how do you know which surgeon is the best to do this TAVR AORTIC VALVE REPLACEMENT SURGERY?

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1 reply
grands08 | @grands08 | 2 days ago
In reply to @grands08 "I am scheduled to have a Low Flow Paradoxical Aortic Valve Replacement I will have that..." + (show)
@grands08

I am scheduled to have a Low Flow Paradoxical Aortic Valve Replacement I will have that Mayo Clinic Rochester. My question is how do you know which surgeon is the best to do this TAVR AORTIC VALVE REPLACEMENT SURGERY?

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I am 74 and Asymtomatic. I really want to know the TAVR DR success rate. How many procedures. How many survived. How many had strokes etc.

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grands08 | @grands08 | 1 day ago
In reply to @hopeful33250 "Hi @Karen1945 I'm not familiar with the terms "method of disc" and 2-chamber EF by the..." + (show)
@hopeful33250

Hi @karen1945

I'm not familiar with the terms "method of disc" and 2-chamber EF by the method of disc." I'll have to look that up.

Do you have diastolic dysfunction (where your heart stays stiff rather than relaxing)?

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Does anyone TAVR experience with Mayo Clinic Rochester MN? I am looking for background and stats on the Interventional Cardiologists that perform the surgery. Is there a site I can go to and decide which surgeon to have perform the TAVR

Thank you

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swaimm1 | @swaimm1 | 1 day ago

Hi. Iam 70 and had stenious of the aortic valve. Had been indicated for years with an observed murmur. No Stockton’s other than that. Regular test indicated that the stenious had worsened to a state requiring replacement. Was originally planned to do tavar. What a relief to me avoiding ohs. Well in the work up it was discovered I need bypass so the tavar was waved off in place of the ohs. My surgeons indicated that given my relative young age (haha) and good health I was a great candidate for ohs and that ohs was a much better route for value replacement. More precision in the placement of the new valve and complete removal of any calcium and just anniversary better outcome. I was so disappointed to not have the simpler TAVR for the BIG deal OHS. I had a great team at wake forest Baptist hospital in WS NC. Turned out the surgery went terrific thanks to the terrific team and not as big a deal as I had feared. Home in 4 days, hit the road walking and getting stronger every day. Please don’t over worry whatever you may choose. Go for the best outcome for you !!! Good luck and God bless !!!

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