Exploring the Advantages of TAVR: What You Should Know

Updated at: 29 Jun 2023

Introduction

Technological advancements have expanded the possibilities of medical treatment in significant ways. The development of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) is one of the best examples. It has forever changed the landscape for those suffering from severe aortic valve stenosis. TAVR surgery offers patients an alternative to open-heart surgery. It allows them to avoid major invasive procedures and enjoy a much shorter recovery time. With its promise of increased comfort and safety, this advanced technology could provide you with the life-saving treatments you need sooner than ever before. In this blog post, we will explore the advantages of TAVR surgery and how it can benefit your health in ways traditional heart valves cannot.

Get Back to Your Best Self: Discover What to Expect from TAVR

The patient does not have to wait long to feel a difference. With the heart valve working as it should, the patient can start to feel better and more energized than ever. While the speed of recovery varies, countless Medtronic TAVR patients agree that the benefits are life-changing, including:

• More energy to power through your day

• Returning back being able to do the things you love.

• Normal breathing with reduced pain, and

• A diminished sense of anxiety.

What are the advantages of the TAVR procedure?

The patient can get multiple benefits by going through a TAVR procedure. These are:

• TAVR: A Less Invasive and Safer Alternative to Surgery

Traditional surgery for valve replacement requires a large chest incision, causing damage to muscles and tissues. The surgeon halts the patients heartbeat and connects it to a heart-bypass machine to install the new valve. That is a lot of damage!

But with TAVR, the surgeon uses a small catheter to deliver the new valve by threading it through an artery (near the groin or rib). There is no big incision, no heart-stopping and no heart-muscle damage. It is a minimally invasive solution. While the old valve stays there itself, the new valve takes its place. This procedure is a much safer and quicker way to stay healthy.

• Your heart will be accessed through a smaller, less invasive incision.

With TAVR procedures, patients can avoid the discomfort and potential infection risks associated with long chest incisions required in traditional surgery. Thanks to smaller openings for valve insertion, the patient can breathe easily and have a barely noticeable scar. So the patient will not feel more pain after surgical recovery and can live a more comfortable life.

• Revolutionary TAVR procedure reduces complications.

Thanks to TAVRs advanced technology, patients can now enjoy significantly lower risks of complications as compared to traditional open heart surgery. Unlike open heart surgery, TAVR does not require the heart to be stopped. Also, there is no need to put on the cardiopulmonary bypass machine during the procedure. Moreover, patients can rest easy knowing there is a lower risk of bleeding during or after the surgery.

• Get back to your normal life sooner with TAVR.

Choosing a minimally invasive procedure and a smaller incision means less time spent recovering in the hospital. With TAVR, patients typically go home within three to five days. Some even leave after 48 hours. A quicker recovery means you can return to your daily activities in just a few days. So you can get back to your everyday life faster without spending prolonged recovery times.

• Experience faster healing with TAVR procedure.

Say goodbye to painful, invasive surgeries. TAVR, a less invasive procedure, means less trauma to the chest structures and a smaller incision. This translates to less pain for patients and a shorter healing period. You may even require less pain medication, enabling you to return to your regular activities of daily living sooner. Get back to feeling like yourself again with TAVR.

Also read : What Is TAVR Procedure for Surgery and How Does It Work?

The TAVR procedure is not entirely risk-free.

While TAVR is less risky than traditional valve replacement surgery, it is important to note that it is not entirely risk-free. Potential risks include bleeding, artery injury, bruising, blood clots, kidney failure, infection, and heart attack. Additionally, there is always a risk of adverse anesthesia. It is essential to weigh these potential risks against the procedure benefits before deciding.

Conclusion

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has fundamentally changed how aortic stenosis is treated. It offers many advantages to patients. Beyond increasing life expectancy and improving quality of life, the TAVR procedure significantly reduces hospital time and recovery. Not only that, but recent technological advancements have rendered the procedure increasingly less invasive than ever before. As you can see, there are multiple benefits associated with TAVR compared to traditional aortic valve replacement methods. To decide whether TAVR is the best option for a patient with aortic stenosis, they should consult with the cardiologist that offers the procedure. With appropriate screening tests and the right support system, we hope many more people will benefit from this innovative form of heart disease treatment in the future. If you are interested in learning more about this life-saving procedure of TAVR, do not hesitate to contact Dr MdAsif today.