Read on to learn more about the treatment options for aortic stenosis.
Surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) is a type of open heart surgery and one of the
After your cardiac surgeon makes an incision down the center of your chest, your breastbone is divided so your surgeon can access your heart. The narrowed aortic valve is removed, and the replacement is inserted.
The surgery can take a few hours, and recovery may take a long time. Not everyone will be a candidate for this procedure. Depending on your situation, your doctor may decide on another treatment option.
Learn more about what to expect after heart valve repair.
Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is a less invasive procedure that
This procedure was previously approved only to treat patients at intermediate or high risk of complications from open heart surgery. However, doctors may now use it to treat those with severe, symptomatic aortic stenosis, even if they’re at low risk of complications.
TAVR can be done with or without general anesthesia.
First, your doctor will make a small incision in your groin to reach an artery,
The doctor will insert a new valve over the old one using the catheter. The new valve will immediately push the old valve’s flaps out of the way and begin working. The replacement valve may be synthetic or biologic, made from human or animal tissue.
Recovery from this procedure is generally shorter than the recovery period for SAVR.
Learn more about foods for heart health after TAVR.
This procedure opens the narrowed valve as opposed to replacing it. It’s done the same way as TAVR, through a catheter threaded to your heart.
A balloon is inflated when the catheter reaches the aortic valve, pushing the opening wider. Because the effect of the balloon valvuloplasty isn’t permanent and the narrowing usually returns, it
If you’ve been diagnosed with aortic stenosis, your cardiologist will determine how severe your condition is to direct your treatment.
Replacing the valve is necessary to treat the condition, as no medications
In many cases, the valve isn’t replaced until an individual experiences symptoms and the aortic stenosis is considered severe. Common symptoms include shortness of breath, fatigue, and chest pain.
If you don’t have symptoms yet, but your doctor has noticed your valve is narrowing, you will likely have regular checkups and echocardiograms of your heart to monitor the stenosis. If you’re experiencing symptoms, talk with your doctor about valve replacement as soon as possible.
Learn more about symptoms to never ignore if you have aortic stenosis.
If you’ve had a mechanical valve implanted, the likelihood of it failing is small. Still, you may be at risk for developing blood clots. To reduce this risk, your doctor
Speak with your doctor about your options. They can help you understand the risks and benefits so you can understand which type of procedure and valve is right for you.
Learn more about the outlook and life expectancy for people with aortic stenosis.
Doctors may treat aortic stenosis with procedures like SAVR, TAVR, or balloon valvuloplasty. Depending on their situation, some people may be candidates for some procedures but not others.
Talk with your doctor about aortic stenosis treatment options that may be right for you.