TAVR – Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement at Mary Washington Hospital
TAVR (transcatheter aortic valve replacement) is minimally invasive surgical
heart valve replacement procedure for patients with aortic stenosis who
are not surgical candidates for traditional open heart surgery. TAVR is
a less invasive option that enables surgeons to use a catheter to guide
an artificial heart valve through the carotid artery - directly into the
heart, position it within the patient’s native heart valve and implant
the new valve allowing it to restore blood flow.
Because it is less invasive, TAVR typically has a shorter recovery time
and lower risk for complications than traditional open heart surgery.
Post-procedure hospitalization is typically 3-5 days. Risks for stroke
and other complications are similar to traditional surgical valve replacement.
Your physician can help you determine the best treatment options based
on your condition.
Mary Washington Hospital’s Cardiac Hybrid Room, designed specifically
for TAVR procedures, combines equipment and features found in conventional
operating rooms with state-of-the-art imaging technology. The future of
cardiac care is in Fredericksburg, now.
What is the TAVR procedure?
Collaborative Heart Care Team
Mary Washington Hospital’s Structural Heart & Valve Clinic Team
consists of specialists with various areas of expertise that review each
patient’s tests and results to develop a customized treatment plan
Dr. John Cardone and Dr. Alex Na, cardiothoracic surgeons, Dr. Harish Chandra
and Dr Arijit Chanda, interventional cardiologists, work with cardiologists
and primary care physicians in the region to make this life-saving treatment
option available to qualified patients.
The Mary Washington Healthcare TAVR Team also includes:
- Anesthesiologists
- Nurse anesthetists
- Cardiac cath lab technicians and nurses
- Cardiac surgery nursing team
- Perfusionists
- Cardiac surgical assistants
- Echo technicians
A multidisciplinary heart team reviews patient test results in conjunction
with the patient’s cardiologist or referring physician to determine
an appropriate treatment plan which may include Transcatheter Aortic Valve
Replacement (TAVR), surgical aortic valve replacement or medical therapy.
Also, a dedicated Valve Clinic Coordinator assists potential patients with
navigating the evaluation and testing process and facilitates the recommendations
of the collaborative heart team and referring cardiologist.
Contact your cardiologist with additional questions or for a referral to
one of our surgeons.