Aortic Valve Replacement Surgery

If you decide to have surgery, you and your doctor will decide which type of valve is right for you.

Opens New Window Heart Valve Problems: Should I Choose a Mechanical Valve or Tissue Valve to Replace My Heart Valve? Opens New Window

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement is a new way to replace an aortic valve. It does not require open-heart surgery. It is a minimally invasive procedure that uses catheters in blood vessels to replace the aortic valve with a specially designed artificial valve. The catheters are inserted through small cuts in the groin.

This procedure is available in a small number of hospitals. And it is not right for everyone. It might be done for a person who cannot have surgery to replace his or her valve. For example, it might be an option if you are not healthy enough for an open-heart surgery. Although this procedure is minimally invasive, it has serious risks including stroke, kidney problems, and death.^{Reference 3}

Complete the surgery information form (PDF) (What is a Reference PDF Opens New Window document?) to help you prepare for this surgery.

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