Aortic Valve Disease is a serious condition of the heart where the aortic valve does not work properly. Aortic Stenosis, the most common form of Aortic valve disease, occurs when the valve is too narrow to allow blood to pass freely from the heart to the rest of the body. If left untreated, severe AVD can lead to heart failure or other life-threatening medical problems. In last several years, a revolutionary treatment option has become available for many patients: Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI). In this article, we will discuss about TAVI in detail.
What is TAVI?
TAVI, also called TAVR, which stands for Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement, is the term used for the procedure that replaces the damaged aortic valve through a catheter without the need to open the chest (which is done in traditional open-heart surgery). Generally, the surgeon accesses the aortic valve from an artery (usually an artery in the leg) rather than through the chest. The TAVI approach reduces the amount of trauma to the body from the surgical procedure, and thus requires less time to recover from the procedure and less time to stay in the hospital.
When Should TAVI Be Considered?
TAVI is mostly used for patients with severe symptomatic Aortic valve problem. Common symptoms of AS include: Shortness of Breath, Chest Pain, Dizziness, Fainting, Fatigue, and the inability to perform daily activities. If a patient suffers from any of these symptoms, waiting to be treated for AS can increase their risk of sudden cardiac events.
- Patients are at a greater risk when it comes to the performance of surgery.
Elderly patients with diabetes, renal, lung, or prior history of cardiac surgeries would qualify for surgery, but would not necessarily be expected to succeed with an open-heart surgery. The TAVI procedure would offer a much lower risk and fewer complications
- Patients are elderly or frail
Elderly or physically frail patients often have a hard time recovering from traditional valve replacement surgery. The TAVI procedure is generally preferred due to the lower physical demand of the procedure and a quicker recovery time
- Symptoms are continuing to get worse with medication
Medications may help with symptom management, but will not correct a severely narrowed or diseased valve. If you have been taking your medications consistently and there are still symptoms getting worse, you may require valve replacement using TAVI.
- Open-heart surgery is medically contraindicated
Patients cannot have open heart surgery because of serious medical issues, meaning that a patient has a high risk of having a negative reaction to anesthesia or another physical ailment. The TAVI procedure may be a good alternative for these patients.
If you are looking for the Best hospital for aortic valve replacement, or the Best cardiologist in Mohali, Sohana Hospital can cater to your needs. Sohana Hospital Mohali offers a blend of the world’s most advanced medical technology and India’s finest heart specialists who provide the most complete care for the heart. Book your appointment today!