New TAVR Valves Available to More Patients, Safer Than Earlier Models

The FDA approves transcatheter aortic valve replacement to treat patients who are of intermediate risk from surgery. TAVR had been limited to high-risk, inoperable patients.

Published: October 18, 2016

When aortic valve stenosis gets to the point where a replacement valve is necessary, patients usually must undergo open heart surgery to receive a new valve. Its an invasive procedure that comes with a long recovery and the potential complications associated with any surgery. Several years ago, a new option emerged for people too frail or sick for surgery, or who were considered high risk for open-heart surgery. It is called transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), and it eliminates the need for open surgery.