Transcatheter aortic valve replacement

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is a minimally invasive procedure to treat aortic valve stenosis. A doctor inserts a flexible, hollow tube called a catheter into a blood vessel in the leg or chest and guides it to the heart. A replacement valve goes through the tube and is placed in the area of the aortic valve. A balloon on the catheter tip widens to press the new valve into place. Some TAVR valves expand without the use of a balloon.