TAVI (Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation)
TAVI (transcatheter aortic valve implantation, also called TAVR) replaces a severely narrowed aortic valve without open-heart surgery. A new tissue valve is guided to the heart on a thin catheter, usually through an artery in the groin, and positioned inside the diseased valve. It treats aortic stenosis and is especially valuable for patients at higher risk from conventional surgery.
Medically reviewed by the Florence Healthcare medical team · Last reviewed June 2026
Overview
Aortic stenosis is a narrowing of the aortic valve that obstructs blood leaving the heart, causing breathlessness, chest discomfort, fainting and tiredness; once it is severe and symptomatic, the valve needs replacing. TAVI offers a way to do this without opening the chest or using a heart-lung machine, which is particularly important for older patients or those for whom open surgery would carry higher risk.
During the procedure, a collapsible replacement valve is mounted on a catheter and threaded — most often through an artery in the groin — up to the heart under live X-ray guidance. The new valve is expanded inside the old one, immediately taking over its function. Because the access is through a small puncture rather than an open incision, recovery is often quicker and the hospital stay shorter than after conventional valve surgery.
Suitability for TAVI versus surgical valve replacement is decided by a combined heart team using detailed imaging such as a cardiac CT. International patients are supported by a coordinator with a clear plan and a transparent, itemized cost estimate before travel, and our specialists can review your echocardiogram and imaging remotely first.
Who is a candidate?
- People with severe, symptomatic narrowing of the aortic valve (aortic stenosis)
- Patients at higher or intermediate risk from conventional open-heart surgery
- Older patients for whom a less invasive approach is preferable
- Those whose anatomy is suitable for a catheter-based valve, as confirmed by cardiac CT
- People with a previously implanted tissue valve that has worn out (valve-in-valve), in selected cases
- Patients seeking a second opinion comparing TAVI with surgical valve replacement
What happens
- 1
Assessment and heart-team planning
Echocardiography and a detailed cardiac CT measure the valve and access vessels. The combined heart team confirms with you whether TAVI or surgical replacement is the better option.
- 2
Preparation
Medications are managed appropriately, and you are prepared for the procedure under local anesthesia with sedation, or general anesthesia, depending on the plan.
- 3
The procedure
A collapsible replacement valve is guided on a catheter — usually through a groin artery — to the heart under live X-ray, then expanded inside the diseased valve, where it immediately takes over function.
- 4
Early recovery
Because there is no open incision or heart-lung machine, many patients recover quickly, are monitored for rhythm and the access site, and mobilize sooner than after open surgery.
- 5
Follow-up
You receive a recovery and medication plan, sometimes including antiplatelet therapy. International patients get a clear follow-up schedule and remote support after returning home.
Benefits
- Replaces a narrowed aortic valve without opening the chest or using a heart-lung machine
- Often suited to older or higher-risk patients who may not tolerate open surgery well
- Typically a shorter hospital stay and faster recovery than surgical valve replacement
- The new valve takes over function immediately, relieving symptoms of aortic stenosis
- Can be used to replace a worn-out tissue valve (valve-in-valve) in selected patients
Risks & considerations
- Bleeding or injury at the catheter access site in the groin
- Heart-rhythm disturbances that sometimes require a pacemaker afterwards
- Stroke or, uncommonly, leakage around the new valve
- The need for antiplatelet or other medication for a period after the procedure
- Not every patient or anatomy is suitable; the heart team confirms eligibility
- Contact your medical team straight away if you develop groin-site bleeding or swelling, a fainting spell, worsening breathlessness or chest pain, or a slow or irregular heartbeat, as these can signal a complication needing prompt attention
Conditions this treats
Where it is performed
This procedure is delivered by our Heart Center.
Learn more before you decide
Provider-reviewed guides on the related conditions, symptoms and tests in our Health Library.
TAVI (Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation) — frequently asked questions
TAVI treats severe aortic stenosis — a narrowed aortic valve — by implanting a new valve through a catheter rather than opening the chest. It avoids a heart-lung machine and a large incision, which often means a shorter stay and faster recovery than surgical valve replacement.
It is especially valuable for older patients and those at higher or intermediate surgical risk, provided their anatomy is suitable on cardiac CT. A combined heart team weighs TAVI against surgical replacement for each patient.
Some patients develop a rhythm disturbance after TAVI that requires a pacemaker. Your heart team monitors for this closely after the procedure and explains the likelihood in your case.
Yes. Send your echocardiogram, cardiac CT and reports and our specialists provide an independent opinion remotely on whether TAVI is appropriate, before you commit to travel.
TAVI often means around two to four nights in hospital plus a short period locally before flying — your coordinator confirms the plan. We provide a transparent, itemized estimate after reviewing your case, covering imaging, the valve, the procedure and follow-up, rather than a fixed online price.
Related treatments
Considering tavi (transcatheter aortic valve implantation)?
Share your reports for a medical second opinion and a transparent, itemized cost estimate — usually within 48 hours.