← Return to Aortic Valve Replacement with TAVR: What is it like?

Discussion

Aortic Valve Replacement with TAVR: What is it like?

Heart & Blood Health | Last Active: Nov 28, 2023 | Replies (58)
Comment receiving replies
@bitranch

Hi davej. I had severe aortic stenosis along with a bicuspid valve. I had the option of TAVR but my surgeon advised that it would trap the “junk” (calcification) in there and create the possibility of strokes or other issues down the road. I decided to go with full open heart surgery. That turned out to be the right choice since it turned out the calcification had backed into one heart chamber. Because of that TAVR would have been a disaster. (This was 2 years ago)

My valve is designed to accept a TAVR replacement, so I have that option down the road.

In any case, I think the choice depends on a lot of factors. Mostly, I’d suggest finding a surgeon who’ll explain all your options along with how each one specifically affects your case.

Jump to this post

Replies to "Hi davej. I had severe aortic stenosis along with a bicuspid valve. I had the option..."
Ingegerd Enscoe, Alumni Mentor | @astaingegerdm | Oct 1, 2023

@bitranch
I agree with you- there are times when a surgical option for valve replacement is the better one.
I had a TAVR in June without complications. Before the procedure I was told that they may have to operate if something didn’t go well. There was a cardio thoracic surgeon on standby.
There are certain testing done before the valve replacement- cardiac cath and CT angiogram- that helps with the decision making.

VIEW AND REPLY