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Transcatheter Aortic Valve implantation (TAVI)

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is a revolutionary procedure that allows us to replace the aortic valve without open heart surgery. TAVI is percutaneous (performed through the skin) treatment for aortic stenosis which involves inserting an artificial aortic heart valve without open-heart surgery.

TAVR at a Glance

What is TAVI?

The TAVI procedure is where a heart valve that is crimped into a catheter is introduced through the artery in the groin (femoral artery) and then positioned in the diseased aortic valve. The new transcatheter aortic valve expands to fit within the diseased valve. The diseased aortic valve will not be cut or removed. The new valve will start to function immediately. For patients whose femoral arteries are too small to accommodate the new valve, we often introduce the trans-catheter valve between the ribs, across the apex of the heart – this is called a transapical approach.

We have had no mortality on these transapical procedures and our results are world-leading. 

Post operation

In most cases the patient is usually up and about the next day. Often, a patient is home within three to four days.

TAVI's innovation

TAVI has revolutionised our ability to treat patients who are at increased risk for open surgery.

It provides new options to the growing number of elderly patients, and patients who have had previous cardiac surgery, poor lung function or other issues that may preclude them from having traditional open surgery safely.

TAVI animation

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Since 2009, the Sydney Heart Team has been successfully treating some of the country’s most challenging heart patients, returning them to an excellent quality of life.

- Professor Martin Ng

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