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TAVR

Structural Heart Disease

Minimally invasive leading-edge procedure

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement, or TAVR, is a minimally invasive treatment for severe aortic stenosis (narrowing of the aortic valve).

Severe aortic stenosis can be a fatal condition if left untreated. If medication management isn’t enough, surgical replacement is likely necessary. The TAVR procedure replaces the diseased valve with an artificial transcatheter heart valve. 

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The valve is placed through a catheter that enters the heart from an artery—usually the femoral artery. Once in place, the new valve pushes away the old one and attaches to the leaflets of the diseased valve to keep it in place.
 

The team at CMC’s New England Heart & Vascular Institute:  
  • Has performed the most TAVR procedures in the state. 
  • Was the first community hospital in New Hampshire to offer TAVR.
  • Was recently recognized for being one of the region’s highest ranked TAVR programs in this year’s U.S. News & World Report (2020).
 
DOWNLOAD THE PATIENT Packet
 

FAQs

What are the benefits of TAVR?
If you have severe aortic stenosis, TAVR will help your heart work better.  It may also shorten your recovery time to getting back to everyday activities.  Quality of life studies with the SAPIEN 3 valve have shown patients being able to take care of themselves and participate in everyday activities within 30 days of the procedure.
What do I do before the procedure?
You may need to stop taking certain medications up to one week prior to the procedure and should not eat or drink anything after midnight the day of the procedure. You should make arrangements for a ride to and from the hospital and arrange for help at home after the procedure. 
 
How long does the procedure last?
The total procedure time varies from about one to two hours. 
What happens after the procedure?

Your care team will discuss your recovery plans with you, which will include detailed instructions on diet, exercise and medicine.  You may be in the hospital for several days before transitioning home.  During your recovery, it is important to keep all of your follow up appointments and to call your doctor if you notice any problems after the procedure such as bleeding, pain, or other discomfort or changes in your overall health.

a remarkable journey

to a healthy heart

Jackie Sibulkin made a 2,200 mile trip from the Lone Star to the Granite State so that he could get heart care at CMC by Dr. Fahad Gilani.
 

Read Jackie's story
Celebrating 5 years

with the TAVR team

December 2018 marked the 5th anniversary of our first TAVR procedure at CMC’s New England Heart & Vascular Institute. CMC was the first community hospital in New Hampshire to offer transcatheter aortic valve replacement. In the years since, our multidisciplinary team has earned recognition for building a leading TAVR program. Congratulations to all involved!
 

CMC

Heart Valve Clinic

If you suffer with symptoms of heart valve disease ​the multi-specialty team at our Heart Valve Clinic are committed to finding the best therapies, with a focus on minimally invasive options, and returning you back to a fulfilling life.
 

TAVR

Sweet News for Those with Valve Disease

“This candy box is almost as big as Dr. Flynn’s heart,” Ed said with a smile as he posed for a photo with interventional cardiologist James Flynn, MD, FACC, Director of the Cardiac Catherization Laboratory and Interventional Cardiology at CMC.

Read more
TAVR

In the News

Meet our

Heart Valve Clinic Team

Kristin McMahon, RN, Valve Clinic Coordinator, works alongside our team of board-certified cardiologists, cardiac surgeons and radiologists to offer treatment options for patients with heart valve disease.

Meet our team

Our Locations

New England Heart & Vascular Institute
Catholic Medical Center100 McGregor StreetLevel B Manchester NH 03102
603.669.0413