Did you know. . . 

  • TAVR is not experimental; more than 400,000 TAVR procedures have been performed worldwide; and TAVR is FDA approved for the treatment of aortic stenosis across all risk groups.
  • Dr. Russo is one of the most experienced TAVR surgeons in the US, and RWJUH has outcomes that are among the best in the U.S.
  • TAVR procedure typically takes less than 1 hr; most patients return home the day following the procedure

What is Aortic Stenosis?

Aortic valve stenosis (AS) is a disease of the aortic valve in which the opening of the valve is narrowed (stenotic). 
​
The normal size of the aortic valve is the size of a half dollar; a severely stenotic valve may be the size of a dime or smaller.

 
Aortic stenosis most commonly results from calcium that is deposited in the valve as people age. There no proven modifiable risk factors; that is there is nothing the patient did to cause it or could have done to prevent it.

Aortic stenosis is among the most common valvular abnormalities occurring in 7%-10% of patients over 70 years old.

What are the symptoms of
​aortic stenosis?

Narrowing of the aortic valve increases the effort required by the heart to adequately pump blood to the body.  Over time heart function will deteriorate, and the patient will develop symptoms.  Symptoms include:

  • shortness of breath, 
  • chest pain, and 
  • loss of consciousness (syncope).  

If untreated, 50% of patients with severe aortic stenosis die 18 months years after symptoms are detected. And if untreated ultimately nearly all patients die from this condition.

Who is a candidate for TAVR?

Traditional surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR)  continues to be associated with excellent outcomes.  However, catheter-based procedures are available for nearly all types of patients, including patients who are considered low-risk for traditional surgical valve replacement. 

What information is needed before I can

​ undergo the procedure?

Evaluation includes non-invasive echo and CAT Scan assessment of heart function, the aortic valve, peripheral blood vessels, and the aorta. Typically, patients receive most of this testing in a single day.  

Is TAVR experimental?

PictureTAVR Valve
TAVR is NOT experimental. Research studies published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis, TAVR (aka TAVI) is associated with significantly improved survival, improved symptoms, and improved quality of life. In fact, patients undergoing TAVR were nearly twice as likely to be alive at 1 year compared with those who did not.   

TAVR is FDA approved for the treatment of severe symptomatic aortic stenosis.  More than 400,000 TAVR procedures have been performed worldwide.  Dr Russo is the among experienced TAVR surgeons in U.S., and the team at RWJ achieve outcomes that exceed national benchmarks.

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What is TAVR?

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), also known as transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), is a minimally invasive approach to the treatment of aortic stenosis.

In most patients (90%+), TAVR can be performed-with no incisions-with only a puncture in an artery in the leg (known as the fermoral artery).  In some patients, it is necessary to make a small incision in the chest. Either approach avoids the need for opening the chest, using a heart-lung machine, and stopping the heart.  

Why TAVR at RWJ?

RWJBarnabas Health is the largest not-for-profit integrated health care delivery system in New Jersey. Dr. Russo and his team:
  • maintain one of the largest TAVR experiences in United States performing more than 2000 successful transcatheter valve procedures.
  • achieve TAVR outcomes that among the best in the U.S. (30-day mortality: <2%; stroke risk < 1%)
  • is the only center in NJ and one of only a few sites in the U.S. to have access to the most advanced commercial and research devices.  This allows offer the latest TAVR technology to a broader range of patients

What is the recovery from TAVR?

The procedure typically takes less than 1 hour, and patients are often discharged home on the day following the TAVR procedure.  Patients often say they feel better immediately following the procedure.  Patients have no new restrictions after the procedure, and there are no new medications that need be taken as a result of receiving the new valve,

What are the potential benefits of TAVR?

With TAVR, patients often experience a much more rapid recovery than they would from a traditional, surgical valve replacement.  With TAVR, patients may even feel immediate benefit, because the valve replacement occurs via minimally invasive techniques--avoiding the need for large incisions. 

Research studies published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that in patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis, TAVR (aka TAVI) is associated with significantly improved survival, improved symptoms, and improved quality of life compared. In fact, at 1 year patients undergoing TAVR were nearly twice as likely to be alive compared with those who did not. ​After a successful TAVR procedure, patients should expect an improvement almost immediately in symptoms, improved quality of life, and improved survival.