Heart Health: A Minimally Invasive Revolution | Cedars-Sinai Newsroom

Just a decade ago, patients with severe aortic stenosis—a narrowing of the heart’s main valve—were left with two options: undergo high-risk open-heart surgery or do nothing to treat their life-threatening condition.

But then, in 2011, a new, minimally invasive treatment option was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) after years of rigorous clinical trials. Instead of getting a new heart valve via open-heart surgery, some patients could opt to have the new valve implanted during a catheter-based procedure called transcatheter aortic valve replacement, or TAVR.

The technology not only saved lives but jump-started a minimally invasive cardiac intervention revolution that has touched nearly every aspect of heart healthcare.

“The early days of using TAVR were very exciting, and at the same time, slightly nerve-wracking because the technology was first-generation and the patients were much older and sicker,” said interventional cardiologist Raj Makkar, MD, Cedars-Sinai’s vice president of Cardiovascular Innovation and Intervention and the Stephen R. Corday, MD, Chair in Interventional Cardiology. “We learned quickly, however, that even in the sickest of patients, we could perform TAVR safely.”

With TAVR, a valve passes through a flexible tube which is threaded through the femoral artery that starts in the groin area and leads to the heart. When the catheter reaches the heart, a balloon expands to press the valve into place.

Generally, patients who undergo minimally invasive, catheter-based heart procedures face shorter hospital stays and fewer complications, and they are often back to their regular activities within days rather than the longer recovery periods associated with cardiac surgery.

Connect with us:


Cedars-Sinai is a leader in providing high-quality healthcare encompassing primary care, specialized medicine and research. Since 1902, Cedars-Sinai has evolved to meet the needs of one of the most diverse regions in the nation, setting standards in quality and innovative patient care, research, teaching and community service. Today, Cedars- Sinai is known for its national leadership in transforming healthcare for the benefit of patients. Cedars-Sinai impacts the future of healthcare by developing new approaches to treatment and educating tomorrow’s health professionals. Additionally, Cedars-Sinai demonstrates a commitment to the community through programs that improve the health of its most vulnerable residents.