Intervention for Patients Who are Not Candidates for Open Surgical Procedures
McLaren Northern Michigan is among a small and highly distinguished statewide group now performing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), an advanced life-saving procedure. The surgical standard is still the best approach, but for patients who are not suitable for more invasive procedures, this is an incredible option.
Aortic stenosis is a progressive disease of the heart's aortic valve, affecting up to 1.5 million people in the US. Of that number, approximately 250,000 suffer from severe and even debilitating symptoms that can impact daily activities, such as walking short distances or even climbing stairs. Patients with aortic stenosis have a narrowing or obstruction of the aortic valve which weakens the heart and increases the risk of heart failure.
Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) is suitable for patients with severe symptomatic native valve stenosis who are not candidates for open heart surgery due to the following reasons:
- Advance age
- History of multiple chest surgeries
- Poor lung and kidney function
- Compromised health due to various other issues
Instead of traditional open heart surgery, a collapsible aortic heart valve is placed via the femoral artery in the thigh using the Retroflex 3 transfemoral delivery system.
Louis Cannon, MD Discusses the TAVR Procedure
TAVR Physicians
The TAVR Team is a multidisciplinary group consisting of cardiologists, surgeons, anesthesiologists, and a highly trained clinical staff. As a collegial group, determining the best method for each individual patient is a collaborative effort.