TAVR: A Breakthrough in Heart Valve Replacement

March 23, 2025

For people with aortic valve stenosis, a procedure called transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) offers a safe and effective treatment without the need for open heart surgery.

Interventional cardiologist Guilherme Attizzani, MD, explains why TAVR has become a widely used procedure to treat people with aortic stenosis.

What Is Aortic Stenosis?

In people with aortic stenosis, one of the heart’s four valves, the aortic valve, becomes narrow or stiff, making it difficult for the heart to pump blood. This reduces or blocks blood flow from the heart to the aorta and to the rest of the body. As the heart works harder, people may experience symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, fatigue or dizziness.

Aortic stenosis can be caused by a variety of factors, including aging, diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. Over time, the condition can lead to heart failure and other serious complications.

Old Valve Meets New Valve

In the past, TAVR was used for more severe disease. Today, it provides a minimally invasive option for many people with aortic stenosis. “As TAVR’s safety and effectiveness has been proven over several years, we have expanded the number of patients we are able to offer it to, with excellent results,” says Dr. Attizzani.

TAVR is performed under local anesthesia with minimum sedation. Your doctor inserts a small catheter into a blood vessel, typically near the groin, to reach the heart. A new valve is inserted through the catheter and implanted inside the existing aortic valve. The old valve is pushed aside and helps hold the new valve in place. The new valve then starts working to pump and regulate blood flow.

Dr. Attizzani says patients usually experience rapid improvement in their symptoms and typically return home the next day, with minimal complications after TAVR. “Patients benefit from less pain, a faster recovery and improved quality of life after underdoing this minimally invasive procedure,” he adds.

Ongoing Research

The Valve and Structural Heart Disease Center typically treats around 450 patients with TAVR each year. For patients who receive TAVR treatment, efforts are made to emphasize convenience, with evaluation and testing completed in one day and visits performed virtually when possible.

The center is also involved in clinical trials to improve treatment for patients with different levels of symptoms, from mild to severe. One area of research focused on optimizing the type and size of valve used for women, based on their specific anatomy.

“Since TAVR was first used, outcomes have improved substantially for those who undergo the procedure at experienced centers,” adds Dr. Attizzani. “We are continually improving our approach and technique to enhance TAVR for all of our patients.”