Cardiovascular Surgery

The advantages of TAVR over open heart surgery include:

• Allows physical activity such as walking approximately six hours after the procedure
• Eliminates use of a heart-lung machine (cardiopulmonary bypass) during the procedure
• Improves overall symptoms, quality of life and life expectancy
• Reduces hospital stay, with discharge the next day
• Reduces infection risk
• Takes approximately 2 hours from prep to recovery area
• Uses a less invasive procedure that eliminates the need for open-heart surgery
• Yields a shorter recovery period of about 1–2 weeks

We use two types of artificial heart valves:

1. Mechanical valves are made of metal. These valves may last as long as 25 years. However, people with mechanical valves need to take blood-thinning medication like warfarin for the rest of their lives.
2. Biological valves are made of human or animal tissue. These valves typically last 10–15 years. People with biological valves typically don’t need to take blood thinners.