Severe Aortic Stenosis and COVID-19 | Edwards

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR)

Severe Aortic Stenosis Doesn't Wait.
You Shouldn't Either.

Your Heart Health is Critical in the Time of COVID-19

Did you know, if you have been diagnosed with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis (SAS), you may be at an increased risk of complications if you get COVID-191-4? Once you’ve been referred for aortic valve replacement, receiving treatment is essential. Recently, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) created guidelines to help your doctors prioritize patients who require non-COVID, non-emergent attention5.

Taking Care of Your Severe Aortic Stenosis is Even More Critical

Due to COVID-19, you may feel anxious or scared to proactively follow-up on scheduled treatment for your severe aortic stenosis3. But there is a risk to your overall health by waiting to treat your severe aortic stenosis. Severe aortic stenosis can make you more vulnerable if you catch COVID-196. If you have been referred for aortic valve replacement, it is an important health choice to continue to pursue timely treatment. Speak with your doctor or local Heart Team weekly to discuss your risks and treatment options.

Find a TAVR Hospital

Heart Teams are still treating patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis during COVID-196. Use our Find a TAVR Hospital tool to locate one near you.

Don’t Wait to Treat Your Severe Aortic Stenosis

You may have been told to monitor your health and delay your procedure, but severe aortic stenosis can change rapidly and quickly become life threatening.

Limiting your exposure to COVID-19 is important, and so is addressing your severe aortic stenosis7. During this time of COVID-19, it is important to monitor your symptoms and to contact your doctor or your Heart Team weekly. Especially if your symptoms start to worsen. Together with your local Heart Team, you can decide if you need treatment right away or if it’s okay to wait.

If your doctor recommends you hold on receiving treatment, make sure you understand why. Continue to actively monitor changes in your health that would be important for your physician to know when evaluating when you should receive treatment.

Check in with Your Local Heart Team Weekly

COVID-19 restrictions can change daily6. If you are concerned about your treatment for severe aortic stenosis, check in with your local Heart Team weekly to determine when you should be scheduled for your procedure. Use our Find a TAVR Hospital tool to locate a local hospital near you who is performing TAVR.

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    References
    1. Clerkin et al. “COVID-19 and Cardiovascular Disease.” American Heart Association, Circulation 2020.
    2. Chung et al. “The Restructuring of Structural Heart Disease Practice During the COVID-19 Pandemic.” Journal of
      the American College of Cardiology: Cardiovascular Interventions, 2020.
    3. Shah, Pinak B., et al. “Triage Considerations for Patients Referred for Structural Heart Disease Intervention
      During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic: An ACC /SCAI Consensus Statement.” Journal of the
      American College of Cardiology: Cardiovascular Interventions, 2020.
    4. Driggin, Elissa, et al. “Cardiovascular Considerations for Patients, Health Care Workers, and Health Systems
      During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic.” Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 2020.
    5. https://www.cms.gov/files/document/covid-flexibility-reopen-essential-non-covid-services.pdf.
    6. Basman, Craig, et al. “Management of Elective Aortic Valve Replacement over the Long Term in the Era of
      COVID-19.” European Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery, 2020.
    7. Wood, David A., et al. “Precautions and Procedures for Coronary and Structural Cardiac Interventions During the
      COVID-19 Pandemic: Guidance from Canadian Association of Interventional Cardiology.” Canadian Journal of
      Cardiology, 2020.