Heart valve replacement surgery

[DJ TT 2002]

Tom, it’s sounds as though you are planned for
an AVR
Aortic Valve Replacement.

That is the surgical procedure that involves a mid-line sternotomy and complete valvular replacement with either a mechanical valve or a bioprosthetic valve


TAVR is an entirely different approach which is done transcutaneously and places a
man- made valve above the existing Aortic valve to improve cardiac function. This procedure is usually done by an interventional cardiologist

I deal with both groups of patients almost daily.
The vast majority of people have excellent outcomes.

Please feel free to PM me if you have questions or would like me to translate the medicalese I used above


All the best
T

[VictorGMT]

Originally Posted by DJ TT 2002

Tom, it’s sounds as though you are planned for
an AVR
Aortic Valve Replacement.

That is the surgical procedure that involves a mid-line sternotomy and complete valvular replacement with either a mechanical valve or a bioprosthetic valve


TAVR is an entirely different approach which is done transcutaneously and places a
man- made valve above the existing Aortic valve to improve cardiac function. This procedure is usually done by an interventional cardiologist

I deal with both groups of patients almost daily.
The vast majority of people have excellent outcomes.

Please feel free to PM me if you have questions or would like me to translate the medicalese I used above


All the best
T

Thanks for pointing out these are two VERY different processes.

My wife (58) had AVR last year for the same reasons as @krash. Mid-line "small" (maybe 3" max?) sternotomy.

Great result. A bad few hours that evening due to a bronchial spasm that scared us. Walking second day. Home fourth day?

Very limited unattended movement during week two. Driving by week three or four. (Followed surgeon's advice on all).

Stable INR/meds balanced in month two. Like it never happened after month two, except more stamina etc. I think by day 60 or 90 surgeon released her back to cardiologist for all ongoing monitoring.