Tom, it’s sounds as though you are planned for
an AVR
Aortic Valve Replacement.
That is the surgical procedure that involves a mid-line sternotomy and complete valvular replacement with either a mechanical valve or a bioprosthetic valve
TAVR is an entirely different approach which is done transcutaneously and places a
man- made valve above the existing Aortic valve to improve cardiac function. This procedure is usually done by an interventional cardiologist
I deal with both groups of patients almost daily.
The vast majority of people have excellent outcomes.
Please feel free to PM me if you have questions or would like me to translate the medicalese I used above
All the best
T