Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR)
Offers Alternative to Open-Heart Surgery
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Central Florida Regional Hospital now offers a minimally invasive alternative to open-heart surgery for high-risk patients. The hospital is the only hospital in Seminole County to provide transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) - a sophisticated procedure not performed at many hospitals.
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TAVR repairs the aortic valve, which connects the heart's main pumping chamber (the left ventricle) with the main artery to the body (the aorta). In patients with aortic stenosis, this valve is too narrow to fully open, and the heart becomes overworked.
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Usually valve replacement requires physicians to surgically separate the chest and perform an open-heart procedure. But TAVR can be performed through very small openings that leave all the chest bones in place. Rather than removing the damaged valve, the surgeon inserts a new valve into its place.
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TAVR can provide treatment options to people who may not have been candidates for them a few years ago - including older adults and those with other medical conditions that increase their risk. This procedure also provides a faster recovery in most cases.
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"TAVR is a natural addition to our comprehensive cardiac program," said Trey Abshier, CEO of Central Florida Regional Hospital. "We're proud to offer new treatment options that extend and improve our patients' lives."
