Can a new valve procedure reduce my hospitalizations for heart failure?

If you have heart failure and a valve problem, a new valve procedure may lower your chance of being hospitalized for heart failure. Two types of valve procedures are now available: transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) for the aortic valve, and transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement (TTVR) for the tricuspid valve. Recent studies show that these procedures can reduce heart failure hospitalizations in carefully selected patients.

What the research says

A 2025 trial called TAVR UNLOAD looked at patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) who also had moderate aortic stenosis (a narrowed aortic valve). Patients who received TAVR had fewer heart failure hospitalizations and urgent visits compared to those who just had medical therapy and surveillance ¹⁰. Another trial, TRISCEND II, studied patients with severe tricuspid regurgitation (a leaky tricuspid valve). Those who received TTVR had fewer heart failure hospitalizations at 18 months compared to those on medical therapy alone ³. Additionally, a 2025 trial found that the SGLT2 inhibitor dapagliflozin reduced the risk of heart failure hospitalization or death in patients undergoing TAVR for aortic stenosis ⁹. These results suggest that valve procedures can be an important part of managing heart failure in the right patients.

What to ask your doctor

• Do I have significant aortic stenosis or tricuspid regurgitation that might benefit from a valve procedure?
• Would a transcatheter valve procedure (TAVR or TTVR) be an option for me based on my heart function and overall health?
• How does my heart failure medication plan fit with a valve procedure?
• What are the risks and benefits of a valve procedure for my specific situation?
• Could I be a candidate for a clinical trial involving valve procedures for heart failure?