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Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) Specialist in West Orange and Belleville, NJ

The board certified cardiologists and staff of New Jersey Cardiology Associates (NJCA) are dedicated to offering the highest level of cardiac care to patients at our offices located throughout the Essex County area. In this catheter-based procedure, our cardiologists specialize in treating aortic valve stenosis using state-of-the-art minimally invasive technology to replace the aortic valve and reinstate proper blood flow to the heart. For more information about TAVR procedure call our office in West Orange, NJ (973) 731-9442  -or- our office in Belleville, NJ  (973) 429-8333 to schedule your appointment today.

What is TAVR?

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is a minimally invasive, catheter-based heart procedure performed to replace a thin aortic valve in patients who have aortic valve stenosis. With this condition, the heart valve does not fully open due to the thickening of valve leaflets which slow down the blood flow from the heart to the rest of the body. This can lead to symptoms of chest pain, fainting, fatigue, heart failure and even death.

Risks of TAVR

Naturally, all medical procedures do not come without risk. Here are some possible risk factors of the TAVR procedure:

  • Bleeding
  • Issues with blood vessels
  • Stroke
  • Heart Attack
  • Kidney Failure
  • Issues with Heart Arrhythmias and/or Pacemakers
  • Issues with the valve that was replaced (i.e. if the valve moves out of its place)

Who would benefit from the TAVR procedure?

The TAVR procedure may be the right choice for those patients experiencing:

  • signs and symptoms of aortic stenosis such as chest pain, fainting, fatigue, heart failure.
  • non-minor complications due to the aortic valve replacement surgery.
  • an existing valve that isn’t working well.

What to expect during a TAVR procedure

A Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) procedure is performed to relieve aortic valve stenosis.

Before the procedure: Your surgeon will perform a thorough evaluation to ensure that you don’t have any risk factors that may affect you during the procedure. He or she may prescribe medication to reduce the risk of infection as a result of the procedure.

During the procedure: General anesthesia used for sedation and other medications used to prevent blood clots are administered through an IV. Throughout your procedure, the surgical team will monitor your heart rate, blood pressure and other changes. Once the new valve is positioned, a balloon on the catheter’s tip is inflated to expand the replacement valve into the appropriate position. Some valves can expand without the use of a balloon. The catheter is then removed and the incision is properly closed.

After the procedure: After the procedure, your surgeon may require you to spend a few nights in intensive care so you can be monitored. Most patients tend to spend two to five nights recovering in the hospital. Your surgeon may also recommend you make changes to your lifestyle such as eating healthy and getting exercise on a more consistent basis.

Learn more about TAVR

Schedule a consultation with one of our cardiologists. Please contact New Jersey Cardiology Associates near the West Orange area at (973) 731-9442 -or- Belleville area at (973) 429-8333 today.