Mended Hearts Open Forum

Kelly,

You need to have a detailed conversation with your cardiologist. If you don't have a trusted cardiologist, contact your medical center for a recommendation.  These are some questions you should ask your cardiologist:

a. Why do you need an aortic valve replacement? (calcification, bicuspid valve, valve stenosis)

b. How soon does the valve need replacement? (days, weeks, months)

c. Can a transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedure be used?

The TAVR procedure is performed in the Cath Lab by an interventional cardiologist. It takes less than a hour and requires an overnight stay. Recovery to normal activities is about a week

The surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) is an open heart procedure performed by a heart surgeon.  The surgery takes 2 to 3 hours, the hospital stay is 4 to 5 days and recovery to normal activities is at least 6 weeks.

Please update me on your conversation with your cardiologist and their recommendation.

Thank you,

Vic