Valvular Heart Disease

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR)

The TAVR Specialists at Baton Rouge Cardiology Center are experts at giving new hope to people suffering from severe aortic stenosis who are at increased risk for open heart surgery.

Learn if TAVR is right for you

Receiving news that you’ve been diagnosed with severe aortic stenosis and may need your aortic valve replaced can be scary.

Although these feelings can be overwhelming, it is important to talk to your doctor about all of your treatment options, especially if you are experiencing symptoms such as fatigue and shortness of breath. These symptoms of aortic stenosis may mean your condition is getting worse and you need to seek treatment right away.

The good news is, open heart surgery is not the only way to replace an aortic heart valve. There is a less invasive alternative available for people diagnosed with severe aortic stenosis. This treatment is called transcatheter aortic valve replacement, or TAVR for short. This procedure used to only be available for people who were too weak to undergo open heart surgery. But now, TAVR is available to more people depending on their risk for open heart surgery. The procedure may also be an option for people who had their aortic valve replaced in the past, but need a new one because the replacement valve may no longer work.

Factors that determine if you’re a good TAVR candidate

  • Stroke
  • Atrial fibrillation (AFib)
  • Prior open heart surgery
  • Fatigue (low energy)
  • Peripheral vascular disease
  • Frailty (weakness)
  • Fainting
  • Prior chest radiation
  • Coronary artery disease
  • COPD
  • Kidney failure
  • Diabetes

Take control of your health by educating yourself about aortic stenosis and the different treatment options available to you. Free Info Kits are designed to provide you with the information you need to be your best advocate. Get your free kit today! Call (225) 214-7730.

Trancatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR)

A procedure that uses a catheter device to place a new aortic valve in your heart

  • The TAVR procedure is performed collaboratively with an interventional cardiologist and a cardiac surgeon.
  • The TAVR coordinators will help coordinate all the testing and work-up required for the placement of your new heart valve.  They will update you regularly on the plan of care and will be a consistent resource for answering your questions.

For more information, and to see if you may be a candidate for a Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR), call 225-214-7730, or schedule an appointment consultation with one of our heart valve specialists:

The TAVR Team at Our Lady of the Lake:

Venkat Surakanti, M.D., FACC, FSCAI
Interventional Cardiologist

Steven Kelley, M.D.
Interventional Cardiologist

The TAVR Team at Baton Rouge General:

Lance LaMotte, M.D., FACC
Inteventional Cardiologist