TAVR vs SAVR

Traditional Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement (SAVR)

Procedure: SAVR involves open-heart surgery, where the damaged valve is removed and replaced with a prosthetic valve.
Recovery: Generally, a longer hospital stay and recovery period are associated with SAVR.
Candidates: Historically, SAVR has been the primary option for younger, healthier patients.
Durability: Prosthetic valves in SAVR are highly durable but may not last a lifetime.

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR)

Procedure: TAVR is a minimally invasive procedure where a new valve is inserted through a catheter, often via the femoral artery or a small incision.
Recovery: Shorter hospital stays and quicker recovery periods are typical with TAVR.
Candidates: Initially designed for high-risk or inoperable patients, TAVR has expanded to include intermediate and low-risk patients.
Durability: While TAVR valves have shown promising durability, long-term data is still emerging.