Referral Process for TAVR
The first step toward a transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is to see your local cardiologist. They will order an Echocardiogram to look at your heart function and evaluate your valve disease. If your aortic valve disease is severe, your cardiologist may refer you to our program for evaluation.
On referral, our Structural Heart Team will review your studies and determine if additional studies are needed that may include a Cardiac Catheterization, and Computed Tomography Angiography (CT Scan). These tests help us determine if you are a potential candidate for treatment with TAVR. You may be contacted by different departments to arrange necessary testing.
If the Structural Team determines you are a potential candidate for TAVR, you will be offered a consultation appointment with our TAVR team in San Francisco or Santa Clara. We may include a preoperative evaluation during your consult. Alternatively, a separate pre-op visit will be arranged for you at a later date. The pre-operative process may take 3 to 4 hours to complete.
Please see our consultation locations provided below (click for a map and directions):
- 2238 Geary Blvd, Cardiothoracic Surgery Department, 8th Floor, San Francisco CA 94115
- 710 Lawrence Expressway, Dept. 342, Santa Clara, CA 95051 (Please register at Dept. 348)
A “Dental Clearance Form” signed by your dentist verifying you do not have active infections in your teeth is required. This can be inconvenient, but it is not safe to perform valve replacement if active infections exist. Please bring this Dental Clearance form to your dentist to complete. The completed Dental Clearance form may be brought to your TAVR consultation appointment or may be faxed to our Cardiothoracic Surgery Clinic at 415-833-4390.
Here are some links that give an overview of Aortic Stenosis and treatment options:
Please feel free to contact our Nurse Coordinator or our Administrative Support if you or your family have any questions or concerns.