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Date issued: July 2025
For review: July 2027
Ref: A-681/CP/Cardiology/TAVI procedure
PFD: Going home after a TAVI procedure.pdf [pdf] 361KB
This leaflet aims to answer your questions about going home back to your everyday activities after your Trans-catheter aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI).
If you or your family have any further questions, or if you would like more information, please do not hesitate to contact us. Telephone: 01752 431726
Transfemoral TAVI (access through your groin): After your procedure you will spend a minimum of 1 hour in recovery before returning to the ward. We will aim to discharge you home the following day.
Transapical TAVI (access from the side of your chest): After your procedure you will spend 24 hours in our intensive care unit. Once transferred back to the general ward, we aim to discharge you home within 24-48 hours.
Subclavian TAVI (access below your left collar bone): After your procedure you will spend a minimum of 1 hour in recovery unit before returning to the ward. We aim to discharge you home within 24-48 hours thereafter.
Recovery times can vary between individuals. The ward cardiology team will review you each day and decide when you are well enough to be discharged home.
You will need to be accompanied by a responsible adult when going home and it is expected you will make your own travel arrangements.
Please ensure you have a supply of your routine medications; any new medications will be supplied.
You are not allowed by the DVLA to drive for 4 weeks after your procedure.
You are advised to inform your insurance company that you have had Aortic Valve surgery to avoid issues with any claims you may need to make in the future.
If you have a LGV or PCV licence, you will need to undergo an exercise test before getting your licence back.
Provided you have had no complications, you will be able to fly:
One week after your TAVI if you had an incision in your groin.
Two weeks after your TAVI if you had an incision made in your chest.
If you wish to fly within three months of your procedure, check with your doctor and the airline, as each has its own policies and procedures. Ensure that you have valid travel insurance. You can refer to the British Heart Foundation for advice.
The following advice is general guidance only, as everyone’s recovery is slightly different.
It is advisable that you have someone to care for you for the first few days after discharge, this will depend on your recovery on the ward after the procedure and your discharging nurse will discuss this with you.
Although it is less invasive than open heart surgery, having a TAVI is a significant event. As well as affecting your physical health, it can affect you emotionally. This is a normal part of recovering from surgery and these feelings should pass.
Some people, who have had a TAVI, have reported the following symptoms/problems after the procedure. Some are caused by the procedure itself and others by the general anaesthetic (if you had a transapical or subclavian approach). Symptoms are usually temporary and settle over the first few days or weeks after the procedure, if they persist contact your GP.
Arm, shoulder, or wrist pain/numbness: This may be associated with the surgery and the position of your arm during the procedure. However, please make a member of the medical team aware if you are experiencing these symptoms.
Constipation: This can occur due to inactivity and the strong painkillers you need to take after the procedure. You can ask us for a laxative to help this. Please tell your nurse if your bowels have not opened before you go home.
Muffled hearing /heightened awareness of your heartbeat: you may be particularly aware of this when you are lying on your side at night. This is perfectly normal but can cause concern. Try a different sleeping position to see if this helps.
Irregular heart rate/ palpitations and flutters can occur after a TAVI procedure. These are often self-resolving; however, some can be more serious. It is important that you inform a member of the medical team if you are experiencing any new palpitations or arrhythmias.
Ankles and legs swelling: This can occur during the first few weeks after your procedure. It will settle down, but you should speak to your GP if it does not start to improve. If you notice swelling in just one leg or the swelling starts to go up your leg, contact your GP.
Voice sounds different or hoarse: This can occur if you are put to sleep for your procedure. This will improve over time.
Altered sense of smell/strange taste in the mouth: This is caused by the anaesthetic; it is also common for people to lose their appetite. Try to have small meals frequently.
Loss of concentration/ confusion and memory problems: some people report feelings of confusion post operatively; others find they are unable to concentrate on things like reading a book. Be patient with yourself. As you recover your concentration levels should return to normal.
You should avoid strenuous activity for 4 weeks, this includes heavy lifting (such as shopping bags) or pushing / pulling (such as gardening, vacuum cleaning), and exercises such as swimming, dancing and cycling. If you had an incision made in your chest, allow an additional 2 weeks.
As soon as you are walking comfortably around the home you can carry out light housework such as washing up, dusting, laundry and light weeding in the garden. None of these activities should make you feel extremely breathless, if they do, you are working too hard and need to slow down.
You do not have to avoid climbing stairs or walking up inclines, but you may have to start off at a slower pace. You may feel slightly out of breath on walking, but this should improve as your fitness level increases. If breathing becomes more difficult, please contact your GP.
If you have mobility problems, do what you can manage as it’s important to be as active as possible.
You may feel a little short of breath when you start walking. However, if you experience any of the following symptoms, please contact your GP or NHS 111
Chest pain
Increasing shortness of breath
Syncope/fainting
As well as your usual medicines, you will usually be discharged with an additional blood thinning medicine. Likely to be either clopidogrel or aspirin. This will be required lifelong.
People on Warfarin or a Direct Oral Anticoagulant (DOAC) will remain on what they were previously taking before the TAVI procedure
Now that you have a prosthetic heart valve you are at an increased risk of serious infection during dental procedures. You will need prophylaxis antibiotics for any high-risk dental work such as:
Extractions
Subgingival scaling
Procedures involving manipulation of the gingival tissue (Gums/soft tissue)
You will have an incision/scar in your groin or on your chest following your TAVI procedure. It is normal for the site to be tender for a few days after the procedure. It is also normal for a bruise to develop.
However, if you notice any of the following please contact your GP:
A hard tender lump under the skin around the area of incision (although a pea-sizes lump is normal)
Any increase in pain, swelling, redness and/or discharge at the site
A cold foot/arm on the same side as your incision.
A raised body temperature/fever
If your groin starts to bleed you should apply pressure to the area keeping your leg as straight as possible (lie down if you can):
If the bleeding stops within 10mins, keep your leg as still as possible for the following hour. If bleeding restarts, go to your A&E department
Do not drive yourself to A&E
You can shower but avoid bathing.
Do not put cream, talcum powder or soap directly onto your wound site for up to a week after your procedure to avoid irritation and reduce the likelihood of infection
University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
Derriford Road
Plymouth
PL6 8DH
Phone: 01752 431726
British Heart Foundation
The website contains a wealth of helpful information on all aspects of heart disease including the conditions, tests, treatments, and rehabilitation.
Tel: 02079 350 185
Helpline: 0300 330 3322
