A Minimally Invasive Surgical Option
Patients who are suffering with severe aortic stenosis, which is the narrowing of the heart’s aortic valve opening that restricts blood flow, have a minimally invasive surgical option available at the Valve Institute at Manatee Memorial Hospital. Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) is an advanced heart valve replacement procedure that offers new hope to patients who have aortic valve stenosis and are at high or extreme risk for open-heart surgery.
Transcatheter Valve Certification
Manatee Memorial Hospital is the first hospital in Manatee County to be awarded Transcatheter Valve Certification by the American College of Cardiology.
What is Aortic Stenosis?
Aortic stenosis is a common heart condition that is caused by the narrowing of the heart’s aortic valve due to a buildup of calcium deposits. When the valve narrows, it does not open or close properly, which makes the heart work harder to pump blood through the body. Over time, this can cause the heart to weaken and function poorly, which can lead to heart failure and an increased risk for sudden cardiac death.
Symptoms of aortic stenosis may include:
- Chest pain or pressure
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Fainting
- Heart murmur
- Heart palpitations
- Rheumatic fever
- Shortness of breath during activity
Treatment of Aortic Stenosis
Treatment for individuals with severe aortic valve stenosis is typically managed by a team of experienced cardiologists and cardiovascular surgeons who collaborate to determine the most appropriate care for each patient. Medications do not cure aortic stenosis but are sometimes prescribed to help control symptoms, maximize heart function, control blood pressure and control heart rhythm disturbance.
Aortic valve replacement (AVR) is the standard treatment for patients with aortic stenosis. Because AVR is an invasive surgical procedure and many patients are at high risk for surgery, or are altogether ineligible for surgery, TAVR provides a new option for many patients.
How Does TAVR Work?
During the minimally invasive TAVR surgery, the surgeon will replace the heart valve with a CoreValve® Evolut POR+™ System or a SAPIEN 3 Transcatheter device without open-heart surgery and without removing the diseased valve.
The CoreValve® Evolut POR+™ System is approved for patients with severe aortic stenosis who are at high or extreme risk for surgery and is the next generation of the Evolut R System. The CoreValve® Evolut POR+™ System heart valve is made from pig heart tissue. It is designed to work like your own heart valve.
The SAPIEN 3 Transcatheter heart valve is a balloon-expandable heart valve that will replace your diseased aortic valve. It is made of a metal frame, three tissue leaflets (made from cow heart tissue) with a fabric skirt. This valve can be implanted in both intermediate and high-risk patients.
These devices are usually inserted through an artery in the leg and then guided through the arteries into the heart. TAVR can also be performed through alternative accesses. The device then expands and takes over the original valve’s function to allow oxygen-rich blood to flow efficiently out of the heart.
Podcasts
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Structural Heart Program
The Structural Heart Program at Manatee Memorial Hospital is dedicated to patients with aortic stenosis and stroke and bleeding risks associated with atrial fibrillation. The program is part of our Heart and Vascular Center and the Valve Institute and is located at the hospital. Patients will receive a personalized evaluation from a team of healthcare professionals.