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FKDr Faisal KhanCONSULTANT CARDIOLOGIST

PATIENT INFORMATION · DR FAISAL KHAN

TAVI: aortic valve replacement

TAVI replaces a narrowed aortic valve using a catheter. It can improve blood flow out of the heart without the chest incision used for conventional open-heart valve surgery.

Updated · For patients and carers

Treats
Usually severe aortic valve narrowing
How it is done
Usually through an artery in the groin
Typical hospital stay
Often 1–2 days; sometimes longer

What is TAVI?

TAVI stands for transcatheter aortic valve implantation. Aortic stenosis means the valve at the heart’s main outlet has become narrowed, making it harder for blood to leave the heart. Symptoms can include breathlessness, chest discomfort, dizziness or fainting.

A replacement tissue valve is delivered through a thin tube and expanded inside the old valve. The old valve is usually pushed aside rather than removed.

Sources: [1] [2]

Is TAVI right for me?

A specialist Heart Team considers how severe the valve disease is, your symptoms, overall health, scan findings and preferences. Age, the valve’s shape, the blood vessels and the likely need for future treatment all matter. TAVI is not suitable for every person or every valve problem.

Assessment usually includes a heart ultrasound (echocardiogram), a CT scan, an ECG and blood tests. Some people also need tests of the coronary arteries. These help the team compare TAVI with surgical valve replacement and discuss your expected benefit.

Sources: [2] [3]

What happens during treatment?

  1. Preparation: the hospital gives you a plan for medicines, eating and drinking. Tell the team about allergies, infections and dental problems.
  2. Anaesthetic: local anaesthetic with sedation is commonly used. Some people need a general anaesthetic.
  3. New valve: a catheter carries the replacement valve to the heart, usually from an artery in the groin. Other routes are sometimes needed.
  4. Monitoring: the team checks the valve and watches your heart rhythm and recovery before discharge.

Sources: [1] [2]

Recovery & follow-up

Many patients leave hospital after one or two days, but some need longer monitoring or extra support. Improvement is usually gradual. Full recovery may take several weeks to two or three months, depending on your health and any complications.

Arrange help at home, start with gentle activity and follow your discharge advice about lifting, work and driving. Cardiac rehabilitation may support your recovery.

Your medicine plan is individual. Take the medicines on your discharge prescription and ask the valve team before stopping or changing them. Attend follow-up appointments and heart scans even if you feel well.

Keep up good dental care. Tell your dentist that you have a replacement heart valve and ask your valve team about precautions for dental treatment.

Sources: [4]

Risks & alternatives

Important risks include bleeding or blood-vessel damage, stroke, kidney injury, infection, and a leak around the new valve. Some people develop an electrical conduction problem and need a permanent pacemaker. Serious complications can require emergency surgery or cause death.

Surgical aortic valve replacement may be a better choice for some people. Medicines can help symptoms but cannot open a severely narrowed valve. A balloon procedure is occasionally used as a temporary measure. The team will explain the options, including supportive care if valve replacement is unlikely to help.

Sources: [1] [2]

Common questions

Will TAVI make my breathing normal?

It may improve symptoms caused by the narrowed valve. Lung disease, other heart problems or reduced fitness may still cause breathlessness, so improvement varies.

Will I need a pacemaker?

Some patients do. The risk depends on your existing heart rhythm, anatomy and the valve used. Monitoring after TAVI helps identify this.

How long will the new valve last?

A tissue valve can wear out over time. Follow-up scans check its function; your team will discuss durability and possible future treatment as part of choosing your valve.

When to get help

Call 999 for severe or persistent chest pain, severe breathlessness, collapse or signs of a stroke: face drooping, arm weakness or speech difficulty, even if they improve. A newly cold, pale or numb arm or leg on the catheter side also needs emergency help. For heavy or persistent wound bleeding, lie down, apply firm pressure and call 999. Do not drive yourself to A&E.

Contact your treating team promptly for fever, worsening wound redness or swelling, new palpitations or increasing breathlessness. If you cannot reach them, contact NHS 111. Do not wait for a routine private appointment.

Sources & further reading

  1. British Heart Foundation: TAVI
  2. Leeds Teaching Hospitals: TAVI patient guide
  3. Guy’s and St Thomas’: assessment for TAVI
  4. Guy’s and St Thomas’: recovery from TAVI

This general guide supports discussion with your care team. It does not replace your individual assessment, consent discussion or hospital discharge instructions. Hospital protocols and recovery times vary.

Discuss your next step

Dr Faisal Khan offers general and specialist cardiology consultations in London and Surrey. Bring your questions, medicines list and any relevant test results. If a procedure is appropriate, the team will confirm the treatment location and arrangements.

Arrange a consultation