Multidisciplinary Series: Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) Overview and Imaging-Based Measurements
by Mary Sheridan Bilbao, PA-C, MPAS
May 29, 2025
In the United States, an estimated 5 million people are affected by heart valve disease, with aortic valve disease accounting for a substantial portion. Aortic stenosis – the most common form of aortic valve disease – affects approximately 5% of individuals aged 65 and older.
At Stanford, cardiothoracic surgeons employ a multidisciplinary approach to managing aortic valve disease, carefully considering and offering patients the best treatment option for them, including leading-edge treatments for structural heart conditions. In collaboration with a team of specialists across cardiology, anesthesiology, radiology, and other units, Stanford cardiothoracic surgeons perform aortic valve replacements using surgical approaches that are best suited for each patient. These approaches include traditional open-heart surgical sternotomy, minimally invasive/mini-sternotomy techniques, or transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).
For patients with a narrowed or stenotic aortic valve, TAVR was initially offered as a lifesaving option for patients who were not candidates for open-heart surgery. It later became a minimally invasive alternative for patients at moderate surgical risk. Today, its potential use has expanded to an even broader range of patients, including those at a low surgical risk.
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Stanford’s approach to TAVR is highly multidisciplinary, involving close collaboration between cardiothoracic surgeons, interventional cardiologists, and radiologists. Radiologists play a critical role throughout the TAVR process—from developing optimized CT imaging protocols to actively participating in valve planning meetings. The 3DQ Lab is just one component of how the Radiology Department contributes essential imaging insights that inform patient evaluation, procedural planning, and post-procedure care.
Learn more about the Stanford TAVR program here.
Read more about 3DQ Lab’s work with TAVR planning, preoperative work-up, and imaging measurements:
The cross-departmental collaboration with the Stanford Department of Radiology includes Brian Pogatchnik, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor, who oversees TAVR workflows, and Dominik Fleischmann, MD, Professor and Medical Director of the 3DQ Lab, who leads the lab’s efforts with the cardiac surgery and interventional cardiology valve teams. Together, they refine and optimize these workflows.
All 3DQ Lab work is performed under the supervision and guidance of radiologists, who play a critical role in ensuring the highest quality imaging support for interventional procedures. Their expertise helps translate imaging data into actionable insights, aligning with the needs of clinicians, interventionalists, and surgeons.
This collaboration across departments and specialties, including cardiothoracic surgery, cardiovascular medicine, interventional cardiology, radiology, and cardiovascular imaging, ensures a comprehensive approach to advancing patient care through innovation and expertise.
Thank you to the extensive time and attention from the following:
Stanford Cardiothoracic Surgeons Performing TAVR
