Heart Valve Disease

Minimally invasive catheter-based treatment options, such as TAVR (Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement), are offered for patients who are considered too ill to survive open-heart surgery to replace valves affected by severe stenosis.

Meet Our Structural Heart Team

The TAVR Team at the UA Sarver Heart Center was established in 2012 under the leadership of Dr. Kapil Lotun. Read more.

First-Ever Bicuspid TAVR-TEE Procedure with Minimal Contrast for Patient with Kidney Risk

The University of Arizona Structural Heart Disease Program team at Banner – University Medical Center Tucson reached another milestone in October 2018, completing the first-ever transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedure on a patient with a bicuspid aortic valve utilizing only transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) to guide them. The procedure also was unique in that only a minimum of contrast dye was employed in final diagnoses preparations for the procedure and no CT (computed tomography) scan was used at all.

Arizona's First Patient for Transcatheter Mitral Valve Replacement Using Transseptal Approach is Back to Throwing Pots

Lola Cotton’s first mitral valve surgery served her well for at least five years. “That was a long recovery,” recalled Lola, an 81-year-old resident of Saddlebrooke, Ariz. The minimal invasiveness of the TAVR procedure allowed a faster recovery. “I felt good the first day after my surgery, and went home from the hospital on the third day. Five days later I was back in my pottery studio,” said Lola. Read more.

Heart Procedure Updates: TAVR Program Celebrates Two Years of Improving Patients' Lives

The TAVR Program at the University of Arizona Sarver Heart Center celebrated its second anniversary in 2014. The TAVR procedure is a minimally invasive catheter-based treatment option for patients who are considered too ill to survive open-heart surgery to replace aortic valves affected by severe aortic stenosis. In this condition, the valve does not open properly and blood cannot leave the heart chambers to get out to the rest of the body. Read how patients are celebrating a return to their "normal" lives.

General Information

TAVR Procedure Now an Option for More Patients

More patients with heart valve disease may be candidates for the transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedure as an alternative to open-heart surgery, since the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) expanded the patient eligibility criteria. Read more.

TAVR Team Surpasses its 300th Patient Milestone

A 73-year-old woman from Silver City, N.M., became the 300th transcatheter aortic valve replacement patient when she was referred to the University of Arizona Sarver Heart Center cardiology team at Banner – University Medical Center Tucson to treat aortic stenosis and coronary artery disease. Her Silver City cardiologist recently diagnosed her with stage 4 heart failure.

Trans Aortic Valve Replacement at age 96

Patient received Trans Aortic Valve replacement at age 96.

Catheter Procedure

Catheter Procedure Gives Patients with Aortic Stenosis Lifesaving Valve Replacement Option

Additional Links

Learn About Heart Valve Disease

Videos

TAVR Procedure

KAPIL LOTUN, MD, EXPLAINS TAVR PROCEDURE