A new procedure is being developed to help patients who need an aortic valve replacement to avoid invasive open heart surgery.
Dr. Michael Reardon at Houston Methodist DeBakey Heart and Vascular Center says it's an FDA-approved method that lets surgeons implant the valve from the femoral artery in the groin, using a catheter.
It's called Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement.
Dr. Reardon says it means most people can remain conscious during the procedure, go home in a day or two, and fully recover in about a week.