FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the purpose of valves in the heart?

Heart valves are structures in the heart that work as doors to ensure blood flows through the chambers of the heart correctly.

How many heart valves does the heart have?

Your heart has four valves. These four valves of the heart help to regulate blood flow throughout the body.

What are the valves of the heart?

There are four valves of the heart: pulmonary valve, tricuspid valve, mitral valve, aortic valve.

What is the aortic valve's function?

The aortic valve regulates blood flow from the left ventricle of the heart into the aorta, which is the main artery carrying blood throughout the body.

What is aortic stenosis?

Aortic stenosis (aortic valve disease) is a form of heart valve disease that occurs when flaps (or leaflets) of the aortic valve become stiff due to calcium buildup, preventing them from properly opening and closing.

What causes valve stenosis?

Aortic valve stenosis is a common type of heart valve disease. While there isn’t a single cause, risk factors include age (particularly in those 65 years or older), family history, prior infections, or radiation to the chest, along with other factors.

What is aortic regurgitation?

Aortic regurgitation is a form of heart valve disease that occurs when flaps (or leaflets) of the aortic valve do not close properly, which causes blood to leak backwards into the heart.

What are the differences between valve regurgitation and valve stenosis?

While valve regurgitation and valve stenosis are both types of heart valve disease, they behave differently. Valve regurgitation occurs when the valve doesn’t close properly, which causes blood to leak backwards, while valve stenosis occurs when the valve narrows and does not open completely, which restricts blood flow. TAVR (transcatheter aortic valve replacement) by Edwards is only indicated to treat severe aortic stenosis and not aortic regurgitation.

What are the end stages of aortic stenosis?

Left untreated, aortic stenosis can progress to severe aortic stenosis, also known as heart valve failure. Don’t delay treatment—1 in 10 people with heart valve failure who are experiencing symptoms may die within 5 weeks while waiting for their aortic valve replacement.

What are the signs of a damaged heart valve (heart valve failure)?

Sometimes heart valve failure is asymptomatic (meaning patients don’t show any symptoms). However, when symptoms are present, they can consist of shortness of breath, chest pain, fatigue (low energy), lightheadedness, difficulty walking short distances, swollen ankles and feet, and a rapid or fluttering heartbeat.

How serious is heart valve failure?

Heart valve failure is a serious heart valve problem. With heart valve failure, every week counts. In fact, 1 in 10 people experiencing symptoms of heart valve failure may die within 5 weeks if they don’t get their recommended aortic valve replacement.¹

1. Malaisrie SC, McDonald E, Kruse J, et al. Mortality while waiting for aortic valve replacement. Ann Thorac Surg. 2014;98(5):1564-1571.

What are the risk factors for heart valve failure?

Heart valve failure affects 2 million people in the US and can happen to anyone regardless of age, gender, or ZIP code. No singular risk factor causes heart valve failure.

How do I get screened for heart valve failure?

Ask your doctor to get screened for heart valve failure with an echocardiogram. It’s painless, takes as little as 15 minutes, and will show your doctor pictures of your heart.

What are the treatment options for heart valve failure?

For heart valve problems, your doctor may prescribe medicine to help control your symptoms. However, it’s important to know the only effective way to treat heart valve failure is by replacing your valve.

Should I consider TAVR even if I’m not experiencing the symptoms of heart valve failure?

Only TAVR by Edwards is approved to treat severe aortic stenosis in patients with or without symptoms.

Patients who were treated prior to getting symptoms were more likely to keep their current lifestyle and avoid hospitalizations.^*

^*In a clinical trial, researchers assessed whether early TAVR would lead to better outcomes than clinical surveillance in patients with asymptomatic severe aortic stenosis.

How could I benefit from TAVR?

With the minimally invasive TAVR procedure, people may return to daily activities sooner than with open heart surgery. People with symptoms who undergo TAVR report improved quality of life. Most people are up and walking in a few hours and able to go home the next day. Patients experience improved heart function, often with reduced pain and anxiety.

What if my doctor doesn’t refer me to a Heart Valve Team?

If you do not agree with your doctor's recommendation that TAVR is not an option for you, you may still contact a Valve Clinic Coordinator at a TAVR Hospital to receive a second opinion. One of your most important rights is the ability to consult with another doctor to confirm a diagnosis and find possible treatment options available to you.

Are all TAVR valves the same?

The type of TAVR valve you receive can impact your heart and your future. More than one million people have gotten a TAVR by Edwards. In fact, it's the #1 valve choice in the US for transcatheter heart valve replacement.

How can I find a Heart Valve Team?

You can locate a Heart Valve Team here, or ask your doctor for a referral.

How many people have received a TAVR by Edwards?

Over 1 million patients worldwide and counting. Edwards TAVR valves have been used to replace more heart valves than any other transcatheter valve.

How long is the TAVR procedure?

The average TAVR procedure is 1 hour vs 4 hours with open heart surgery.

Why do I need to see my dentist before TAVR?

If you have infections in your teeth and gums, there is a risk of them spreading to your heart valve, so you’ll need dental clearance beforehand.

Are there different types of transcatheter heart valves, and can I ask for a specific valve?

Transcatheter heart valves are made by different manufacturers. You can check which valves are available at your hospital. Although you can ask for a specific valve, your TAVR Doctor will recommend the best valve for you.

What is TAVI, and is it different from TAVR?

TAVI stands for transcatheter aortic valve implantation. The procedure is the same as TAVR. Your doctor may use the terms interchangeably when discussing treatment options.

What are the risks of TAVR?

The most serious risks of TAVR include death, stroke, serious damage to the arteries, or serious bleeding.

Does my heart have to be stopped for TAVR?

No, unlike open heart surgery, TAVR does not require stopping the heart.

What does life after TAVR look like?

Most patients with symptoms feel better within 30 days and get back to daily routines. Timely TAVR is also associated with better quality-of-life outcomes than delaying treatment.

Can I still get an MRI with TAVR?

Yes, an MRI will not impact your heart valve. However, your doctor will need to know that you have a TAVR valve before you receive the MRI scan, so please notify them in advance and refer them here.

How long until I need my valve replaced?

Over 98% of TAVR recipients did not require a valve reintervention after 10 years of receiving their valve.^†

^†Based on Medicare claims data which may underestimate the actual event rate.

Is SAVR (surgical aortic valve replacement) more durable than TAVR (transcatheter aortic valve replacement)?

TAVR has long-lasting durability of up to 5 years, similar to SAVR.^‡

^‡The PARTNER 3 Trial, SAPIEN 3 TAVR proven superior to surgery on the primary endpoint of all-cause death, all stroke, and rehospitalization (valve-related or procedure-related and including heart failure) at one year, and multiple pre-specified secondary endpoints in low risk patients.

5-year data based on results from the PARTNER 3 study comparing TAVR to valve replacement by open-heart surgery.