TAVI: When is it needed and what patients should know about this procedure

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI), also known as TAVR, is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat severe aortic stenosis—a condition in which the aortic valve becomes narrowed and restricts blood flow from the heart to the rest of the body. As the valve becomes stiff or calcified, patients may experience symptoms such as breathlessness, chest pain, dizziness, fatigue, or fainting. Without treatment, severe aortic stenosis can lead to heart failure and significantly increase the risk of death.

TAVI is typically recommended for patients who are not ideal candidates for traditional open-heart surgery. This may include older adults, individuals with other medical conditions that raise surgical risk, or patients for whom a quicker recovery is important. In recent years, TAVI has also become an option for selected low-risk patients, depending on individual health assessments.

The procedure is performed by inserting a new valve through a blood vessel—most commonly through the femoral artery in the groin—and guiding it to the heart. Once positioned, the new valve expands and begins to function immediately, pushing aside the old, narrowed valve. Because it avoids the need for a large incision or stopping the heart, recovery is usually quicker than with surgical valve replacement.

Patients considering TAVI should understand the benefits and risks. Advantages include shorter hospital stays, faster recovery, and significant improvement in symptoms and quality of life. However, as with any procedure, there are potential complications, such as bleeding, stroke, vascular injury, or the need for a pacemaker.

A heart team—including cardiologists, interventional specialists and cardiac surgeons—will thoroughly assess each patient to determine whether TAVI is the safest and most effective treatment.

TAVI has transformed the management of severe aortic stenosis, offering many patients a safer, less invasive path to restoring heart function and improving daily life.