Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR)

With a TAVR procedure, interventional cardiologists and cardiothoracic surgeons work together to replace the aortic valve with a prosthetic valve via a catheter-based approach. This procedure utilizes a collapsible valve implanted percutaneously, and is indicated for patients at low, intermediate, high, or extreme risk for open-heart surgery.

Through a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation, our team will review old and new studies on every patient and choose the best treatment plan. Our inpatient mortality rate is lower than the national average despite treating a higher amount of high and extreme risk patients compared to the national average.

Spectrum Health treats close to 3x more medically complex/extreme risk patients than national averages

TAVR reasons for operations

Source: STS/ACC TVT Registry.

High volumes lead to improved outcomes

Patients achieve improved outcomes at facilities with higher case volumes. Spectrum Health is second highest volume site in the state of Michigan. We have done over 2300 TAVR cases since 2011.

The American College of Cardiology has recognized Spectrum Health’s Structural Heart and Valve Center for its demonstrated expertise and commitment in treating patients who receive a transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

American College of Cardiology, Transcatheter Valve Certified

Benefits of TAVR for patients

Health provider holding model of heart.
  • Easier and more rapid recovery time 
  • Shorter length of stay 
  • Reduced surgical complications compared with traditional open-heart surgery 
  • TAVR patients may be eligible for the embolic protection device called Sentinel. The Sentinel device reduces risk of stroke during a TAVR procedure.

Type of TAVR valves

Medtronic Evolut FX system
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Medtronic Evolut FX system
  • Incorporates the same supra-annular valve design that has shown hemodynamic performance superior to surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) across large-scale, randomized clinical trials.
  • The fourth-generation Evolut technology is equipped with gold markers built into the frame to provideimplanters with direct visualization of depth and valve leaflet location during implant.
  • In addition, the Evolut FX system incorporates a redesigned catheter tip for a smoother insertion profile, a more flexible delivery system that allows for 360-degree freedom of motion, with a stable, predictable deployment.
  • The newest system includes four valve sizes for the larges indicated patient treatment range and the lowest delivery profile currently on the market
Edwards SAPIEN3 valve
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Indicated for relief of aortic stenosis in patient symptomatic heart disease due to severe native calcific aortic stenosis deemed appropriate for TAVR Indicated for patients with symptomatic heart disease due to failing (stenosed, insufficient, or combined) of a surgical or transcatheter bioprosthetic aortic valve, a surgical bioprosthetic mitral valve, or a native mitral valve with an annuloplasty ring who are judged by the multidisciplinary team to be high or extreme risk for open surgical therapy based on the STS risk calculator.

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