Treatments and Procedures

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is a nonsurgical procedure available to patients with narrowed aortic heart valves who are too sick to undergo traditional open heart surgery. Placement of a new valve through the TAVR method can make a huge difference in these patients' lives. Learn more about a patient who had a TAVR procedure.

TAVR involves inserting an artificial valve by guiding a catheter (tube) through an artery. The artery may be accessed through small incision in either the patient's groin or chest.

The following steps are taken in screening patients for a TAVR procedure:

• Echocardiogram: An ultrasound of the heart to see how blood flows through the heart chambers and heart valves
• Cardiac Catheterization: A procedure using a catheter with dye inserted through the leg or wrist to assess the coronary arteries
• TAVR CTA: A CT scan of the heart, abdomen and pelvis using dye to measure the shape and size of the aortic valve and blood vessels
• Physical Exam: Evaluation by a structural heart nurse practitioner, an interventional cardiologist and a cardiac surgeon
• Frailty Testing: A questionnaire and a walking test to help measure strength and quality of life

When the transcatheter approach is chosen, cardiac surgeons and interventional cardiologists work side by side to perform the procedure in a special, high-tech hybrid operating room.

TAVR is currently being used to replace stenotic aortic valves. Similar transcatheter approaches may one day be used to fix mitral and pulmonary valve problems as well. For many years, members of the CVI team have been leaders of clinical trials evaluating the safety and effectiveness of TAVR therapies. Today, the CVI offers every synthetic valve commercially available.

Open heart surgery to replace an aortic valve, performed by a cardiac surgeon, is the standard of care for patients healthy enough for surgery.

• Learn more: Aortic Center

A narrowed aorta is widened by guiding a catheter (thin, flexible tube) to the heart through an artery in the groin and inflating a small balloon at the end of the catheter.

MitraClip therapy makes it possible for people with mitral valve disease to benefit from reduced symptoms without surgery. While surgery is the typical option for patients who are strong enough, it is not recommended for frail patients with severe mitral valve regurgitation.

In the nonsurgical MitraClip procedure, doctors place a tiny clip-like device in the heart through a catheter (tube). The clip holds the damaged leaflets together so the valve closes tightly again. The catheter-based approach to gaining access to the heart makes the procedure an option for patients who are at high risk for surgery.

The MitraClip procedure usually takes two to three hours and requires an overnight stay in the hospital. Learn more about a patient who's heart valve was repaired with a MitraClip.

A narrowed mitral valve is widened by guiding a catheter (a thin, flexible tube) to the heart through an artery in the groin and inflating a small balloon at the end of the catheter.

Transcatheter mitral valve repair is a non-surgical procedure in which a clip is guided to the mitral valve through a catheter (a thin, flexible tube) inserted into an artery in the groin.

The clip (called MitraClip) is used reduce mitral regurgitation (backflow of blood through the damaged mitral valves), which can lead to heart failure or heart rhythm problems.

PFO, ASD and VSD procedures close holes between the chambers of the heart that are present from birth.

Uncorrected, these holes can lead to heart, lung or blot clot issues because blood does not flow normally among the four chambers of the heart.

Paravalvular leak closure repairs a valve that has already been replaced, but begins to leak. The closure may be done surgically or through a non-surgical, interventional procedure (using a catheter inserted into an artery in the groin to access the site of the leak).

ECMO is a special device that is located outside the patient's body that brings in oxygen and removes carbon dioxide from the blood.

ECMO is used to treat patients who are experiencing heart failure (specifically left ventricular failure).