Replacing a faulty aortic valve once required open-heart surgery, which can pose significant risks for patients who are older or have certain comorbidities. The advent of minimally invasive transcatheter aortic valve replacement, or TAVR, procedure, where the replacement valve is inserted via a small incision in the groin or chest, has opened much needed treatment options for these patients.

“Momentous breakthroughs don’t happen often in medicine, TAVR is certainly one of the most exciting developments in recent times,” said Michael J. Reardon, MD, Allison Family Distinguished Chair of Cardiovascular Research in the department of cardiovascular surgery. “The Houston Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center’s valve clinic team has been at the very forefront of this pioneering innovation in minimally invasive surgery, making Houston Methodist one of the most experienced TAVR sites in the nation.” Under the leadership of Reardon and his cardiology partner Lois and Carl Davis Centennial Chair, Neal Kleiman, MD, the TAVR program has contributed to hundreds of publications in recent years and has played a key role in shaping this new field.