TAVR (Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement) for Aortic Stenosis

TAVR: A Less Invasive Option for Aortic Stenosis

Specialists at Norton Heart & Vascular Institute, the leading cardiovascular care provider in Louisville and Southern Indiana, have deep experience performing the transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedure to relieve aortic stenosis.

While TAVR once was viewed as an alternative only for inoperable cases of aortic stenosis — a narrowed heart valve that has become calcified and rigid — the team at Norton Heart & Vascular Institute now performs the procedure regularly as an alternative to open heart surgery. If the condition is left untreated, about half of patients with symptoms of severe aortic stenosis will die within an average of two years.

TAVR Procedure

The minimally invasive TAVR procedure is performed though a catheter inserted into a blood vessel in the groin and with advanced imaging guided to the heart. Doctors may sometimes use other approaches to access your heart. The TAVR procedure does not remove the damaged heart valve, but implants a replacement valve made of cow or pig tissue into the valve’s place. Once the new valve is guided into place, a balloon is expanded and presses the replacement valve into the damaged valve.

Norton Audubon Hospital is recognized as earning the American College of Cardiology’s Transcatheter Valve Certification for its demonstrated expertise and commitment in treating patients undergoing transcatheter valve repair and replacement procedures.

Benefits of TAVR

The Norton Heart & Vascular Institute team of interventional cardiologists, cardiothoracic surgeons and a TAVR nurse navigator work together to determine whether TAVR is the best option for you.
You’ll have a short hospital stay, typically just overnight.
Many patients report improvement in symptoms such as shortness of breath and leg swelling shortly after the TAVR procedure.
No stitches needed.
Typically, you can return to normal life and activities after the procedure.

About Norton Heart & Vascular Institute

Norton Heart & Vascular Institute offers advanced care at all of our adult-service hospitals to save hearts and lives.

Awards and Accreditations

All of Norton Healthcare’s adult-service hospitals in Louisville have received Chest Pain Center accreditation from the American College of Cardiology (ACC).
Norton Audubon Hospital has been named a HeartCare Center National Distinction of Excellence year after year by the American College of Cardiology. This is the only hospital in Louisville to be recognized for this distinction.
Norton Audubon Hospital, Norton Brownsboro Hospital and Norton Hospital all are recognized as having ACC Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI accreditation.
Norton Audubon Hospital earned ventricular assist device (VAD) accreditation from DNV and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

Leading the Region in Advanced Care

First in Louisville to implant a dual-chamber leadless pacemaker
First in Louisville to use PASCAL and MitraClip to replace and repair heart valves
First health care system in Louisville to offer CathWorks FFRangio System in a minimally invasive procedure used to treat clogged arteries and advance heart disease
Highest survival rate in the nation for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) interventions treating heart failure
Among the highest survival rates in the nation for treatment of cardiogenic shock in heart failure
Over 100 transcarotid artery revascularization (TCAR) procedures performed for heart disease patients
System with the most facilities across the city of Louisville with the ability treat a life-threatening heart attack
More than 100 board-certified physicians and advanced practice providers with specialized heart and vascular training and experience at nearly 30 locations in Louisville and Southern Indiana

Comprehensive Heart Care for the Whole Person

Norton Heart & Vascular Institute offers patient resources to support you and your family, including free classes for people of all ages who want to improve cardiovascular health or are living with a heart condition.

Cardiac rehabilitation: Our cardiac rehabilitation providers are leaders in developing and applying innovative techniques that can help you recover and resume your life.
Connecting Hearts for Support group: The group provides education and support to individuals who have had a heart attack, are living with a heart condition or are at risk for cardiovascular disease.
Heart health screenings: Prevention is the best way to manage heart disease, and screenings are available to detect early signs of cardiac and vascular disease and identify risk factors.