Severity and timing
Symptoms, valve area, velocity, gradients, ventricular response, and the trajectory of prior testing help explain why intervention is—or is not—being discussed now.
Your Incision Should Be Your Decision™
Aortic valve second opinion
Before TAVR or surgery, understand what fits your heart.
A cardiac surgeon and cardiologist independently review the documented severity, symptoms, timing, anatomy, and complete record. TAVR, SAVR, repair or reconstruction, valve choice, and lifetime planning are addressed only when they apply to your case.
What happens next: A member of our team will call within 2 business hours. During business hours, a same-day conversation with a cardiac surgeon or cardiologist may be arranged only when clinically appropriate and a physician is available.
- 2
- independent physician reviews
- 1
- co-signed written report
- 24 hr
- only after all required records and imaging are received and confirmed complete
No referral or travel required for the written review. With your authorization, the records team can help obtain what is needed. The written review includes two independent physician reviews and one co-signed written report; it does not include a live physician consultation. Adding a live consultation with one reviewing physician is optional. Pricing is shared on your complimentary discovery call.
Case-specific reviewAortic valve
The question is not simply “TAVR or surgery?” It is “which path fits the whole case—and the years ahead?”
Message Us about my decisionOne clear way to begin
You do not need every record—or the right medical words—to begin.
Tell us whether TAVR, surgery, repair, or continued follow-up was discussed—and what you want to understand before choosing a path.
No referral · no travel · no obligation to purchase- 01
Tell us what you were told
A sentence is enough. Include what was recommended, what is scheduled, and what still feels unresolved.
- 02
We identify what the case needs
A member of the team helps determine which records and images matter and can help with retrieval after authorization.
- 03
Choose the support that fits
The written review always includes a cardiac surgeon, a cardiologist, and one co-signed report. Live physician time is optional.
Severe aortic stenosis, in context
The diagnosis starts the conversation. It does not finish the decision.
Severe aortic stenosis can become life-threatening, particularly when symptoms or changes in heart function are present. The urgency and best treatment path depend on the complete clinical picture. Continue following your treating team’s instructions while seeking clarification.
Anatomy and access
Valve morphology, annular dimensions, calcium pattern, coronary height, aortic dimensions, and vascular access can change which approaches are technically reasonable.
Age and lifetime strategy
Age is only one input. Expected longevity, valve durability, future reintervention, pacemaker risk, and future access to the coronary arteries belong in the same conversation.
Everything else that needs attention
Coronary disease, an enlarged aorta, another valve problem, or a rhythm procedure may make a combined operation worth discussing—or may favor a different sequence.
For severe aortic stenosis
Two established replacement paths. No universal winner.
When both TAVR and SAVR are clinically relevant, the purpose of a second opinion is not to favor a catheter or an incision. It is to make the reasons, trade-offs, and uncertainties in your specific record visible.
TAVR
Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) replaces the valve through a catheter; it does not repair the native valve. It may offer a shorter initial recovery for appropriately selected patients. Anatomy, vascular access, valve durability, pacemaker risk, paravalvular leak, and future coronary access still matter.
- Does the anatomy support a catheter approach?
- What could this choice mean for the next valve?
- Will future coronary access remain practical?
SAVR
Surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) replaces the valve and can permit a mechanical or tissue prosthesis. Surgery can also address coronary bypass disease, an enlarged aorta, another valve, or selected rhythm procedures during the same operation. For selected aortic-regurgitation or aortic-root anatomy, repair or valve-sparing reconstruction may be discussed as a separate surgical strategy.
- Is another cardiac problem best treated at the same time?
- Would a smaller surgical approach be reasonable?
- If surgery is chosen, which prosthesis fits the lifetime plan?
Aortic regurgitation follows a different fork: repair or surgical replacement may be the relevant path. A catheter-based option applies only to a narrower, selected group; valve anatomy, cause of the leak, symptoms, and surgical risk require review by the treating multidisciplinary valve team. The report can identify questions about clarifying the workup, continued surveillance, or reassessing timing. WHITEGLOVEMD does not diagnose, prescribe treatment, or replace the clinicians directing your care.
The lifetime view
Choose the next valve with the next decade in view.
A first procedure can shape the feasibility of the second. A useful review looks beyond the immediate recovery to durability, reintervention, coronary access, and what else may need treatment.
Age is context—not a verdict
Chronological age, overall health, frailty, life expectancy, anatomy, and personal priorities should be considered together. A single cutoff cannot decide the right path for an individual.
Durability reaches beyond the first procedure
The discussion may include the expected lifespan of a transcatheter or surgical tissue valve, the possibility of valve-in-valve treatment, and what a future reoperation could involve.
Future coronary access can matter
A transcatheter valve’s frame and position may affect later access to the coronary arteries. That issue deserves attention when future catheter procedures are reasonably foreseeable.
Mechanical versus tissue is a separate decision
When surgical replacement is being considered, a mechanical valve requires lifelong vitamin K antagonist anticoagulation, usually warfarin. A tissue valve usually does not require lifelong anticoagulation solely because of the valve, but it can deteriorate over time; another condition may still require anticoagulation.
The rest of the heart can change the plan
Coronary bypass, aortic repair, another valve procedure, or rhythm surgery cannot always be addressed through the same catheter-based pathway.
Your priorities belong in the record
Recovery, anticoagulation, future procedures, travel, caregiving responsibilities, and tolerance for uncertainty are legitimate parts of shared decision-making.
Independent dual review
The operating-room view and the cardiology view—on the same complete record.
Both plans include both independent reviews and both physician signatures. The physicians confer before the report is finalized.
Cardiac surgeon
Replacement or reconstruction · prosthesis strategy · operative access · combined procedures · reoperation
Cardiologist
Severity · imaging · progression · coronary context · catheter feasibility · surveillance
WHITEGLOVE Insights™
Your valve decision, organized around your case.
The report is written for patients and families, but grounded in the complete source record, current evidence, and two physician reviews.
Download a sample reportYour anatomy.
Your options.
Your next questions.
01Severity02Anatomy03Timing04Lifetime strategy
Patient-facing synthesisWhat fits now—and what today’s choice may mean later.
Cardiac surgeonCardiologist
Your current clinical picture
The diagnosis, symptoms, serial testing, treating team’s plan, and the findings driving the discussion—clearly tied to the source record.
TAVR and SAVR side by side
The benefits, burdens, technical considerations, and unanswered questions for each path when both are clinically reasonable.
Your lifetime valve strategy
Age, expected longevity, durability, reintervention, future coronary access, and prosthesis choice considered together.
Surgical-risk context
The current STS ACSD operative-risk estimate when applicable, with verified inputs, calculation date, missing data, and model limitations made visible. Other models are discussed only when documented in the source record.
Your anatomy—not a generic diagram
Patient-facing explanations connect the relevant echo, CT, catheterization, and aortic findings to the decision in front of you.
What may still be missing
A practical check for unresolved imaging, measurements, testing, or clinical context to discuss with the treating team.
Surgeon and center fit
Procedure-specific experience, complex-aortic capability, geography, practical considerations, and reliable public outcomes when requested and available.
Questions for the next conversation
A concise set of questions and next steps to bring back to the physicians who know you and will provide your care.
Ready for an independent read?
Put a cardiac surgeon and cardiologist on the same complete record.
The written review includes both independent physician reviews and one co-signed written report. A live consultation is optional. Pricing is shared on your complimentary discovery call.
What may still be missing
A decision is only as complete as the record behind it.
A missing study does not automatically mean care was inadequate. It means the limits of the available review should be visible—and turned into useful questions for the treating team.
Echocardiography
Valve severity, ventricular response, other valves, and serial change—not only one number from one study.
CT planning
Annulus, calcium pattern, coronary height, aortic dimensions, and vascular access when a catheter procedure is being considered.
Coronary assessment
Whether coronary disease is present and whether it changes the choice or sequence of treatment.
Aorta and other valves
Whether an enlarged aorta, mitral disease, or another structural problem belongs in the same decision.
Risk-model inputs
The clinical and laboratory variables needed for a defensible estimate, plus the limits of every model.
Functional and frailty context
Mobility, independence, pulmonary status, kidney function, and other factors that may not be captured by the valve diagnosis alone.
Evidence, with its limits visible
Guidelines and risk models inform the review. Physicians interpret them.
2025 · ESC/EACTSGuidelines for management of valvular heart disease2020 · ACC/AHAGuideline for management of valvular heart diseaseSociety of Thoracic SurgeonsAdult Cardiac Surgery Database operative risk calculatorOfficial EuroSCORE siteEuroSCORE II model and stated limitationsAmerican Association for Thoracic SurgeryAATS patient-specific cardiac surgery risk calculator
Risk estimates describe modeled outcomes for patients with similar inputs. They do not predict an individual result and do not replace clinical judgment.
How it works
From scattered records to a clearer valve conversation.
The report is delivered within 24 hours only after all required records and imaging are received and confirmed complete. Time spent gathering missing records is outside the 24-hour window.
- 01
Message us about the decision
Tell us what you were told, what is already scheduled, and what still feels unresolved. No referral or records are needed to begin.
- 02
We help assemble the complete record
Upload what you have or authorize the records team to help gather the imaging, reports, notes, labs, and proposed plan required for review.
- 03
Two physicians review independently
A cardiac surgeon and cardiologist examine the same complete record from different clinical perspectives, then confer.
- 04
Receive one co-signed report
The report is delivered within 24 hours only after all required records and imaging are received and confirmed complete. Time spent gathering missing records is outside the 24-hour window.
Aortic valve second opinion FAQ
Questions patients and families ask before choosing a valve path.
When should I seek an aortic valve second opinion?+
A second opinion can be useful when aortic valve intervention is being proposed and you want to understand the timing, whether TAVR or surgical replacement fits the documented anatomy, what another heart or aortic condition adds to the decision, or how today’s choice may affect future procedures. It should not delay urgent or time-sensitive care directed by your treating team.
Is TAVR better than open aortic valve surgery?+
Neither option is better for every patient. TAVR may offer a shorter initial recovery for appropriately selected patients. Surgical replacement may be more suitable for certain anatomy, lifetime-management goals, or cases that also need bypass, aortic repair, another valve procedure, or rhythm surgery. The review explains how those considerations apply to the available record without choosing treatment for you.
How do age and life expectancy affect TAVR versus SAVR?+
Age is one input in a broader lifetime-management discussion. Expected longevity, anatomy, frailty, valve durability, potential reintervention, future coronary access, other cardiac disease, and personal priorities can all influence which options are reasonable to discuss with the treating team.
Does a bicuspid aortic valve change the decision?+
It can. Bicuspid morphology, the pattern of calcification, annular and aortic dimensions, coronary anatomy, and associated enlargement of the aorta may affect the technical feasibility and trade-offs of catheter-based and surgical approaches. The decision requires the actual imaging and clinical context.
Will the review compare mechanical and tissue valves?+
When surgical valve replacement is a relevant option, the report can organize the trade-offs between mechanical and tissue prostheses. These may include durability, lifelong anticoagulation, bleeding and clotting considerations, lifestyle, pregnancy considerations when relevant, and possible future valve procedures. The final choice belongs with you and your treating physicians.
What records are needed for an aortic valve second opinion?+
The exact record depends on the decision. It commonly includes echocardiogram images and reports, CT imaging when TAVR is being evaluated, catheterization or coronary assessment, clinical notes, laboratory results, medication history, and the proposed treatment plan. With your authorization, the records team can help identify, request, and organize what is needed.
Who reviews my aortic valve case?+
A cardiac surgeon and cardiologist independently review the same complete record, then confer and co-sign one WHITEGLOVE Insights™ report. Both perspectives are included in both plans.
How quickly is the written report delivered?+
The report is delivered within 24 hours only after all required records and imaging are received and confirmed complete. Time spent gathering missing records is outside the 24-hour window.
How much does an aortic valve second opinion cost?+
There are two levels. WHITEGLOVE Insights™ is the written review — two independent physician reviews and one co-signed written report; it does not include a live physician consultation. WHITEGLOVE Consult adds one live consultation with one reviewing physician. WHITEGLOVEMD is a direct-pay service and does not submit insurance claims. After your complimentary conversation, we email the package we recommend, its exact price, and the secure next step.
Does WHITEGLOVEMD replace my valve team?+
No. WHITEGLOVEMD provides independent educational decision support and medical-record review. It does not diagnose, prescribe, perform procedures, provide emergency care, or replace the physicians responsible for your treatment.
Not emergency care.
Do not delay urgent or time-sensitive treatment while waiting for WHITEGLOVEMD. If you may be experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 immediately.
The decision stays yours
Before choosing a valve path, bring both sides of the decision to the table.
Tell us what you were told, what is already scheduled, and what still feels unclear.
A member of our team will call within 2 business hours. During business hours, a same-day conversation with a cardiac surgeon or cardiologist may be arranged only when clinically appropriate and a physician is available.