Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in St. Lucie County, Florida
In the past, people with severe aortic stenosis — narrowed aortic valve opening — had to give up many of their favorite activities. Now we offer them another choice with TAVR.
This innovative procedure means many people can keep doing the things they love. HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital's Heart Institute was the first heart hospital on Florida's Treasure Coast to offer TAVR. Our cardiac surgeons and interventional cardiologists are highly experienced in performing TAVR, and we look forward to offering you improved heart health with this minimally invasive procedure.
TAVR as an aortic stenosis treatment
This is a minimally invasive treatment option for severe aortic stenosis in patients who are too high risk for traditional heart valve replacement or who were previously considered inoperable.
Recovery rates for this procedure have matched those of traditional surgery while dramatically surpassing those of other minimally invasive procedures.
Diagnosing aortic stenosis
Heart valve disease can occur with no outward symptoms and may go undetected, but you might notice signs such as:
- Chest pain
- Difficulty when exercising
- Fainting
- Fatigue
- Lightheadedness
- Shortness of breath
We offer a variety of heart imaging services through our cardiology program to identify cardiac issues, including severe aortic stenosis, as early as possible.
How TAVR is performed
If you are not a candidate for traditional valve replacement surgery, we'll consider TAVR for your treatment. If you're eligible for TAVR, you'll then meet with a team of physicians, including a cardiothoracic surgeon and an interventional cardiologist, to go over the procedure and next steps. You will also work with valve nurses, who play an important role in coordinating care and educating you and your family before and after the procedure.
We have two ways to perform TAVR:
- Transfemoral approach: through the femoral artery
- Alternate approach: through a variety of different sites if there's an issue with the peripheral artery system
What to expect following valve replacement
TAVR is a much quicker procedure and requires a shorter recovery period than open-heart surgeries. We complete TAVR procedures in about one or two hours. You must remain in the hospital for a few days following the replacement, but we will help you on your journey to recovery.