
Transcatheter pulmonary valve replacement
If you’ve been living with heart problems or facing the thought of another surgery, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed. You want to breathe easier, feel stronger and get back to living your life — without a long recovery holding you back.
At HonorHealth, you’ll find a full range of transcatheter pulmonary valve treatment options — including advanced systems like the Edwards SAPIEN 3 with Alterra Adaptive Prestent, and Medtronic’s Harmony and Melody valves — all part of a comprehensive program designed around your needs.
How your pulmonary valve works
Your heart has four valves that keep blood moving in the right direction. The pulmonary valve plays a key role — it opens to let blood flow from the lower right chamber of your heart into the lungs, where it picks up oxygen, then closes to keep it from flowing backward.
When this valve doesn’t open or close the way it should, your heart has to work harder to do its job. Over time, that can lead to shortness of breath, fatigue, chest pain or even heart failure. Replacing the damaged valve helps restore normal blood flow — and can make a big difference in how you feel every day.
A less-invasive option that puts you first
At HonorHealth, we offer transcatheter pulmonary valve replacement (TPVR) — a minimally invasive way to replace a damaged pulmonary valve without open-heart surgery. Using a thin, flexible tube and advanced imaging, our expert cardiologists guide a new valve to your heart through a small incision, typically in the groin. It’s a smoother, safer way to heal — with less pain, fewer risks and a much faster recovery.
Transcatheter pulmonary valve replacement is especially helpful if you’ve had previous valve surgery, were born with congenital heart disease or developed valve problems over time — and want to avoid the long recovery of traditional surgery.
Benefits of transcatheter pulmonary valve replacement
- Minimally invasive: No chest incision. Just a small access point near the groin, which means less trauma to your body.
- Faster recovery: Most patients go home in just one to three days — not weeks like traditional surgery.
- Lower risk: Fewer complications, less bleeding and a reduced chance of infection.
- Stronger heart health: Your heart keeps its strength since there’s no need to open the chest or touch the heart muscle.
- Better quality of life: Feel the difference right away — from easier breathing to more energy during everyday activities.
- Future-friendly: If you ever need it again, transcatheter pulmonary valve replacement can be repeated without the limitations of surgery.
Expert care you can trust
As the first adult cardiology team in Arizona to offer transcatheter pulmonary valve replacement, HonorHealth brings together advanced technology and compassionate care. Our heart specialists work closely with you to create a plan that fits your needs — and supports you every step of the way.
What you can expect
- Board-certified interventional cardiologists with advanced transcatheter pulmonary valve replacement training
- State-of-the-art cardiac catheterization laboratories and imaging
- Comprehensive heart team including cardiac surgeons, imaging specialists and cardiac anesthesiologists
- Dedicated cardiac rehabilitation and long-term follow-up programs
- Patient navigation services to guide you through every step of care