TAVR vs. SAVR: Understanding Your Options for Severe Aortic Stenosis
Severe aortic stenosis is a life-threatening condition that requires timely valve replacement. Today, patients and families often face a choice between transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). Both procedures are well-established and effective, but they differ in technique, risks, long-term outcomes, and patient suitability. Making the right decision requires a clear understanding of the evidence, guideline recommendations, and a discussion with a multidisciplinary Heart Team.
Interview between
Tanush Gupta MD
Vaibhav Goswami MD
TAVR vs. SAVR: Understanding Your Options for Severe Aortic Stenosis
Severe aortic stenosis is a life-threatening condition that requires timely valve replacement. Today, patients and families often face a choice between transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). Both procedures are well-established and effective, but they differ in technique, risks, long-term outcomes, and patient suitability. Making the right decision requires a clear understanding of the evidence, guideline recommendations, and a discussion with a multidisciplinary Heart Team.
Interview between
Tanush Gupta MD
Vaibhav Goswami MD
TAVR vs. SAVR: Understanding Your Options for Severe Aortic Stenosis
Severe aortic stenosis is a life-threatening condition that requires timely valve replacement. Today, patients and families often face a choice between transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). Both procedures are well-established and effective, but they differ in technique, risks, long-term outcomes, and patient suitability. Making the right decision requires a clear understanding of the evidence, guideline recommendations, and a discussion with a multidisciplinary Heart Team.
Interview between
Tanush Gupta MD
Vaibhav Goswami MD
What is TAVR?
What are the different types of acne?Non-inflammatory acne is more mild. It causes whiteheads (closed blocked pores) and blackheads (open blocked pores), but not redness or swelling. Inflammatory acne occurs, as the name implies, when there is some degree of inflammation. It can be further broken down into two categories: mild-to-moderate and moderate-to-severe. What is considered severe acne? Cystic acne is a severe type of inflammatory acne resulting in the formation of often-painful cysts. This type of acne can result in more long-term issues with scarring and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Does it matter what type of acne people have in terms of prognosis or treatment selection? Virtually all cases of acne are treatable. Non-inflammatory acne responds well to over-the-counter treatments and retinoids, which work by preventing the formation of lesions. Retinoids also have some anti-inflammatory properties, so they function well when combined with other medications for inflammatory acne. Mild-to-moderate types of acne also typically respond well to retinoids, as well as to benzoyl peroxide and topical antibiotics. Moderate-to-severe and severe acne cases may require oral antibiotics and other treatments.
What is TAVR?
What are the different types of acne?Non-inflammatory acne is more mild. It causes whiteheads (closed blocked pores) and blackheads (open blocked pores), but not redness or swelling. Inflammatory acne occurs, as the name implies, when there is some degree of inflammation. It can be further broken down into two categories: mild-to-moderate and moderate-to-severe. What is considered severe acne? Cystic acne is a severe type of inflammatory acne resulting in the formation of often-painful cysts. This type of acne can result in more long-term issues with scarring and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Does it matter what type of acne people have in terms of prognosis or treatment selection? Virtually all cases of acne are treatable. Non-inflammatory acne responds well to over-the-counter treatments and retinoids, which work by preventing the formation of lesions. Retinoids also have some anti-inflammatory properties, so they function well when combined with other medications for inflammatory acne. Mild-to-moderate types of acne also typically respond well to retinoids, as well as to benzoyl peroxide and topical antibiotics. Moderate-to-severe and severe acne cases may require oral antibiotics and other treatments.
What is SAVR?
What are the different types of acne?Non-inflammatory acne is more mild. It causes whiteheads (closed blocked pores) and blackheads (open blocked pores), but not redness or swelling. Inflammatory acne occurs, as the name implies, when there is some degree of inflammation. It can be further broken down into two categories: mild-to-moderate and moderate-to-severe. What is considered severe acne? Cystic acne is a severe type of inflammatory acne resulting in the formation of often-painful cysts. This type of acne can result in more long-term issues with scarring and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Does it matter what type of acne people have in terms of prognosis or treatment selection? Virtually all cases of acne are treatable. Non-inflammatory acne responds well to over-the-counter treatments and retinoids, which work by preventing the formation of lesions. Retinoids also have some anti-inflammatory properties, so they function well when combined with other medications for inflammatory acne. Mild-to-moderate types of acne also typically respond well to retinoids, as well as to benzoyl peroxide and topical antibiotics. Moderate-to-severe and severe acne cases may require oral antibiotics and other treatments.
What is SAVR?
What are the different types of acne?Non-inflammatory acne is more mild. It causes whiteheads (closed blocked pores) and blackheads (open blocked pores), but not redness or swelling. Inflammatory acne occurs, as the name implies, when there is some degree of inflammation. It can be further broken down into two categories: mild-to-moderate and moderate-to-severe. What is considered severe acne? Cystic acne is a severe type of inflammatory acne resulting in the formation of often-painful cysts. This type of acne can result in more long-term issues with scarring and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Does it matter what type of acne people have in terms of prognosis or treatment selection? Virtually all cases of acne are treatable. Non-inflammatory acne responds well to over-the-counter treatments and retinoids, which work by preventing the formation of lesions. Retinoids also have some anti-inflammatory properties, so they function well when combined with other medications for inflammatory acne. Mild-to-moderate types of acne also typically respond well to retinoids, as well as to benzoyl peroxide and topical antibiotics. Moderate-to-severe and severe acne cases may require oral antibiotics and other treatments.
Why a Second Opinion Matters
What are the different types of acne?Non-inflammatory acne is more mild. It causes whiteheads (closed blocked pores) and blackheads (open blocked pores), but not redness or swelling. Inflammatory acne occurs, as the name implies, when there is some degree of inflammation. It can be further broken down into two categories: mild-to-moderate and moderate-to-severe. What is considered severe acne? Cystic acne is a severe type of inflammatory acne resulting in the formation of often-painful cysts. This type of acne can result in more long-term issues with scarring and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Does it matter what type of acne people have in terms of prognosis or treatment selection? Virtually all cases of acne are treatable. Non-inflammatory acne responds well to over-the-counter treatments and retinoids, which work by preventing the formation of lesions. Retinoids also have some anti-inflammatory properties, so they function well when combined with other medications for inflammatory acne. Mild-to-moderate types of acne also typically respond well to retinoids, as well as to benzoyl peroxide and topical antibiotics. Moderate-to-severe and severe acne cases may require oral antibiotics and other treatments.
Why a Second Opinion Matters
What are the different types of acne?Non-inflammatory acne is more mild. It causes whiteheads (closed blocked pores) and blackheads (open blocked pores), but not redness or swelling. Inflammatory acne occurs, as the name implies, when there is some degree of inflammation. It can be further broken down into two categories: mild-to-moderate and moderate-to-severe. What is considered severe acne? Cystic acne is a severe type of inflammatory acne resulting in the formation of often-painful cysts. This type of acne can result in more long-term issues with scarring and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Does it matter what type of acne people have in terms of prognosis or treatment selection? Virtually all cases of acne are treatable. Non-inflammatory acne responds well to over-the-counter treatments and retinoids, which work by preventing the formation of lesions. Retinoids also have some anti-inflammatory properties, so they function well when combined with other medications for inflammatory acne. Mild-to-moderate types of acne also typically respond well to retinoids, as well as to benzoyl peroxide and topical antibiotics. Moderate-to-severe and severe acne cases may require oral antibiotics and other treatments.
What are the different types of acne?Non-inflammatory acne is more mild. It causes whiteheads (closed blocked pores) and blackheads (open blocked pores), but not redness or swelling. Inflammatory acne occurs, as the name implies, when there is some degree of inflammation. It can be further broken down into two categories: mild-to-moderate and moderate-to-severe. What is considered severe acne? Cystic acne is a severe type of inflammatory acne resulting in the formation of often-painful cysts. This type of acne can result in more long-term issues with scarring and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Does it matter what type of acne people have in terms of prognosis or treatment selection? Virtually all cases of acne are treatable. Non-inflammatory acne responds well to over-the-counter treatments and retinoids, which work by preventing the formation of lesions. Retinoids also have some anti-inflammatory properties, so they function well when combined with other medications for inflammatory acne. Mild-to-moderate types of acne also typically respond well to retinoids, as well as to benzoyl peroxide and topical antibiotics. Moderate-to-severe and severe acne cases may require oral antibiotics and other treatments.
What are the different types of acne?Non-inflammatory acne is more mild. It causes whiteheads (closed blocked pores) and blackheads (open blocked pores), but not redness or swelling. Inflammatory acne occurs, as the name implies, when there is some degree of inflammation. It can be further broken down into two categories: mild-to-moderate and moderate-to-severe. What is considered severe acne? Cystic acne is a severe type of inflammatory acne resulting in the formation of often-painful cysts. This type of acne can result in more long-term issues with scarring and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Does it matter what type of acne people have in terms of prognosis or treatment selection? Virtually all cases of acne are treatable. Non-inflammatory acne responds well to over-the-counter treatments and retinoids, which work by preventing the formation of lesions. Retinoids also have some anti-inflammatory properties, so they function well when combined with other medications for inflammatory acne. Mild-to-moderate types of acne also typically respond well to retinoids, as well as to benzoyl peroxide and topical antibiotics. Moderate-to-severe and severe acne cases may require oral antibiotics and other treatments.
What is TAVR?
TAVR is a minimally invasive procedure performed through a thin tube (catheter), usually inserted via the artery in the leg. The new valve is placed inside the old one without the need for open-heart surgery.
Key benefits of TAVR:
Shorter hospital stay (1–2 days) and faster recovery
Less bleeding and lower rates of new atrial fibrillation compared to SAVR
Preferred for older patients (≥75–80 years) or those with high surgical risk
Suitable for patients with prior chest radiation, frailty, or other medical conditions that make surgery risky
Limitations and risks of TAVR:
Higher chance of needing a permanent pacemaker (about 15% vs 6% with SAVR)
Greater risk of mild valve leak (paravalvular regurgitation)
Long-term durability data limited to about 10 years
What is SAVR?
SAVR is the traditional open-heart surgery. The surgeon removes the old valve and replaces it with either a tissue (bioprosthetic) valve or a mechanical valve.
Key benefits of SAVR:
Proven durability, with tissue valves lasting 15–20 years and mechanical valves lasting a lifetime
Lower risk of valve leakage and pacemaker requirement compared to TAVR
Preferred for younger patients (<65 years) or those undergoing other heart surgeries at the same time
Limitations and risks of SAVR:
Longer hospital stay (about a week) and longer recovery (3–6 months)
Higher risk of bleeding and new atrial fibrillation
More invasive, requiring open-heart surgery
Why a Second Opinion Matters
The choice between TAVR and SAVR is complex and highly individualized. A second opinion can help patients and families:
Clarify risks and benefits of each procedure
Understand how age, anatomy, and health conditions affect outcomes
Gain confidence that the chosen treatment aligns with their goals and values
At Tidbit Health, we connect patients with leading U.S. heart specialists who review your case and guide you through this important decision with clarity and compassion.