Q: How many TAVR procedures have been performed at Stony Brook Heart Institute?
A: At Stony Brook Heart Institute, over 300 patients have been treated with the TAVR procedure by our multidisciplinary heart team. Worldwide, more than 25,000 patients have been treated with TAVR.
Q: When was TAVR approved by the FDA?
A: The Edwards SAPIEN 3 transcatheter heart valve was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in June 2015. The SAPIEN 3 valve is indicated for patients who have symptomatic heart disease due to severe native calcific aortic stenosis (AS) and who have been determined by a Heart Team to be at intermediate or greater risk for open-heart surgery. In June 2017, the SAPIEN 3 valve was also approved for use in valve-in-valve procedures for patients at high or greater risk for subsequent open-heart surgery to replace their bioprosthetic valve. It is the only valve approved for this use in both the aortic and mitral positions.
Q: Does Medicare/Medicaid cover TAVR?
A: Yes, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services approved the TAVR procedure for coverage on May 1, 2012.
Q: What are the risks with the TAVR procedure?
A: There are still risks associated with TAVR, as with surgical aortic valve replacement. These risks should be taken into consideration when discussing the TAVR procedure with your cardiologist.
Q: How long does the TAVR procedure take?
A: The average time required to perform the procedure is 4 to 5 hours.
Q: How long does it take to recover after having the procedure?
A: Recovery time averages from one to two weeks.