This minimally invasive procedure to treat aortic stenosis can preserve or improve heart function, quality of life, and survival. The doctor accesses your heart through small incisions and implants a prosthetic valve within the diseased valve. Our specialists are skilled in the placement of all commercially available TAVR devices and use multiple delivery approaches. As a result, we can offer treatment options to people who have been turned away elsewhere.
We offer three of the most common approaches to the TAVR procedure:
All three approaches offer less scarring and blood loss and faster recovery compared to open valve surgery. Your doctor will recommend the best approach for you based on your anatomy, size, and overall condition.
Depending in your condition, your doctor may recommend one or more of the following tests to evaluate and identify aortic valve disease.
Small electrodes are placed on your skin to record your heart’s electrical impulses. The tracings may help identify risk for or prior heart muscle damage.
An ultrasound probe is moved over the surface of your chest to capture moving images of your heart. This allows us to determine your heart’s chamber dimensions, shape, valve structures, and overall function.
A contrast agent is injected into your arm and a CT scan produces highly detailed 3-D images of your coronary arteries to help identify anatomy and blockages.
An ultrasound probe passed through your esophagus is used to capture sound waves that create highly detailed, close-up 3-D images of your heart’s chamber dimensions, shape, valve structures, and overall function.
Radio waves, magnets, and a computer create still and moving images of your overall heart structure, heart muscle function, blood vessels, and surrounding structures.
Flexible catheters are guided through a blood vessel to your heart to look for blockages and overall heart function. Contrast dye is injected and X-rays are taken to capture images of your heart, coronary arteries, and other blood vessels.
Early Leaders in TAVR Research
Our early involvement in the development of TAVR through clinical trials means we have extensive experience with this procedure, which leads to higher success rates.
More Treatment Options
Our specialists are skilled in all commercially available TAVR devices and multiple delivery approaches. With Duke’s access to and experience with multiple devices, we provide customized care to meet your individual needs and anatomy.
A Team of Skilled Experts
A specially trained, experienced team of interventional cardiologists, surgeons, anesthesiologists, radiologists, and other health care professionals is involved in every transcatheter aortic valve replacement procedure we perform. Together, the team reviews each patient’s unique needs and determines the best treatment plan.
High-Speed Imaging
Your heart is constantly in motion, making it challenging to get a still image. High-speed cardiac imaging capabilities allow us to get a clear picture of your heart, which helps us determine the right device, the right approach, and the right treatment plan for you.
