The TAVI work-up is a series of essential hospital tests. These tests are used to make sure that TAVI is a safe procedure for you, and that the aortic stenosis is severe enough to treat.

The tests may include:

a chest x-ray - to look at your lungs
an ECG - to check your heart rhythm
lung function tests - to see how well your lungs work
a transthoracic echocardiogram - externally looking at your heart with ultrasound
a trans-oesophageal echocardiogram - also known as a TOE, a more detailed look at your heart using ultrasound
a CT aorta - a special x-ray that looks at the middle section of your body
a coronary angiogram - to look at the coronary arteries that supply blood to your heart.

If you've already had some of these procedures, the TAVI team will decide whether they need to be repeated. We will try to do as much of your assessment as possible in an appointment at our specialist TAVI clinic. We will also arrange for you to have appointments and tests locally to you where this is possible.

For more information, please read our trans-catheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) work up patient information by clicking the link below.

What happens after the TAVI work up

After you have completed the tests your case will be discussed at a weekly TAVI multi-disciplinary team meeting. Your results will be reviewed and the team will decide on the best plan of care.

The TAVI nurse specialist will co-ordinate your care plan and will discuss the outcome of the meeting with you, ensuring that all of your questions are answered. The consultant who referred you to the TAVI team will receive a letter stating what the team feel is your best treatment option.