TAVI & TAVR Procedures

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) or Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) are minimally invasive surgical procedures performed at Apollo Hospitals, Karnataka, under the supervision of the best heart surgeons in India.

These minimally invasive procedures are being increasingly adopted for surgeries in medical science to treat patients efficiently and help them in quicker recovery and optimum healing.

What is a TAVI & TAVR procedure?

TAVI or TAVR is a medically advanced, minimally invasive heart procedure that is performed on patients suffering from a condition known as Aortic Stenosis. The procedure focuses on replacing a thickened aortic valve that is unable to open at its full capacity.

TAVI is one such procedure that has proven to be revolutionary in cardiac surgery. This type of surgery is a boon for the medical industry and is highly beneficial for patients. Several patients who suffer from aortic stenosis are not good candidates for open heart surgery due to complications in their medical condition. Such patients noticed improved quality of life & decreased symptoms of aortic stenosis after getting TAVI procedure.

However, not everyone is a suitable candidate for this minimally invasive procedure. Patients who have defects in the structure or anatomy of their heart valves may not be able to get TAVI. Therefore, experienced cardiac surgeons will evaluate the patient for their suitability to be able to get the TAVI procedure performed.

In any case, TAVI is a game-changing surgery for people who do not have many options to get their aortic stenosis treated. Our board-certified heart doctors and surgeons at Apollo Hospitals, Karnataka, can perform TAVR & TAVI through multiple approaches without causing a lot of trauma to the patient.

What is Aortic Stenosis?

Aortic stenosis is a heart valve disease that, if not treated, may even cause death. The heart has four valves that are integral for its optimal function.

The valves of the heart have leaflet-like tissues which open and close as and when the heart pumps out blood. This regulates the flow of blood in the heart. In aortic stenosis, these leaflets can become rigid, narrowing the opening of the aortic valve. When this happens, our heart is unable to pump an optimal amount of blood and thereby ends up becoming stressed and working harder to pump.

Aortic Stenosis Progression: Aortic stenosis is a progressive disease; if left untreated, it can cause death in a short span. As the heart needs to work harder in patients with aortic stenosis, the muscles of the left ventricle consequently thicken, leading to further narrowing of the lower heart chamber. Such a progression of this disease can quickly cause heart failure.

Who is at risk of Aortic Stenosis and requires TAVI or TAVR?

• Aortic stenosis mostly affects senior citizens above the age of 60 as a result of calcium buildup in the aortic valve.
• Younger people may also be at risk of aortic stenosis if they have congenital heart defects like bicuspid, tricuspid, or unicuspid valves.

About the TAVI Procedure

During the procedure, the surgeon will replace the damaged aortic valve with a biological tissue valve made with cow or pig heart tissue. As opposed to a traditional open heart surgery which requires a long incision through the chest, TAVR is performed using smaller incisions while a catheter is placed in it to reach the heart. The catheter is a long hollow thin tube that is made to reach the heart by inserting it in a blood vessel through the chest or the groyne area. The replacement valve is then guided to the heart by placing it inside the catheter. The new valve is then placed in the problematic aortic valve area.

Should You opt for TAVI or TAVR?

As mentioned earlier, TAVI or TAVR is not suitable for everyone. A cardiac surgeon is the best person to guide you on whether you are a suitable candidate for this minimally invasive procedure. If the doctor recommends you to get a TAVI procedure, then you should opt for TAVI as it has high success rates and causes a substantial improvement in several patients of aortic stenosis.

What happens after a TAVI or TAVR procedure?

Once the procedure is performed, the patient will need to be monitored overnight in the ICU. Patients will also need to spend around five days in the hospital post the procedure. This time though, depends on every patient’s individual condition. Doctors will also guide the patients about the next steps and how to take care of their incisions during this period. Medications like blood thinners and antibiotics will also be prescribed if necessary. The heart doctors and cardiac surgeons at Apollo Hospitals, Karnataka, follow the compassionate approach for successful outcomes and faster recovery.

Recovery Period

Since TAVI & TAVR are minimally invasive procedures, the recovery period is shorter than traditional surgeries. Once the patients are discharged from the hospital after 5-7 days of the procedure, they may take up to 2 months to be able to fully return to their normal activities.

Looking for the best cardiac hospital for TAVI & TAVR procedures? Consult the top physicians and cardiologists at Apollo Hospitals in Karnataka.