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.

Heart and Vascular 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 are seeking to improve cardiovascular health or living with a heart condition.

Cardiac Rehabilitation Program

Our cardiac rehabilitation providers are leaders in developing and applying innovative techniques that can help you recover and resume your life.

Connecting Hearts 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.

About Norton Heart & Vascular Institute

Every year, more than 137,000 people in Louisville and Southern Indiana choose Norton Heart & Vascular Institute specialists for their heart and vascular care. That’s more than any other health care provider.

Norton Healthcare’s adult-service hospitals in Louisville all have received Chest Pain Center accreditation from the American College of Cardiology (ACC). This is the seventh consecutive accreditation for all four hospitals, which ensures quality for the treatment of heart attack.
Norton Audubon Hospital, Norton Brownsboro Hospital and Norton Hospital all are recognized as having ACC Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI accreditation.
Norton Healthcare has the most facilities across the city of Louisville with the ability treat a life-threatening heart attack.

You have access to more than 100 physicians and advanced practice providers with specialized training and experience in a comprehensive range of conditions and treatments.
Patients can make appointments at 28 locations in Louisville and Southern Indiana. Telecardiology is offered at more than 30 sites in the region.
Norton Audubon Hospital, a key location for Norton Heart & Vascular Institute services, has been recognized with 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 earned ventricular assist device (VAD) accreditation from DNV – Healthcare and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Communicate with your health care provider, renew prescriptions, get lab results and more through your free Norton MyChart account.