TAVI-TAVR Procedure in Detail ?

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement is one of the most popular procedures in cardiology. The procedure involves the use of a narrow, flexible, tube-like equipment known as a catheter. The procedure is used for treating patients suffering from aortic stenosis. Aortic stenosis refers to the inability of the aortic valve to function properly. The aortic valve is responsible for the flow of blood from the left ventricle to the aorta from where it is sent to various different organs of our body. The normal functioning of the valve is very vital for the normal functioning of our heart.

Aortic stenosis is a medical condition caused by the accumulation of plaque on the walls of the valve. Plaque refers to the unwanted salt, oil, cholesterol and fat particles that remain suspended in our bloodstream and stick on the walls of the valve when this blood passes through it, thereby creating a blockage that hinders the normal flow of blood. Apart from plaque formation, aortic stenosis can be a result of other factors which include old age, chronic injury or some persistent medical condition.

Mild stenosis can be treated with the use of oral medication, however, in case of chronic stenosis, you might need to undergo a valve replacement surgery. This can be performed using two different approaches i.e. the traditional open heart method and the new minimally invasive techniques.
 The doctors will first conduct a series of tests and screenings to determine whether you are eligible for the procedure and if you really need the surgery. After the date and protocol have been decided, the doctor will also prescribe certain medicines that are to be taken before the procedure to avoid any infection while the patient is being operated.
 On the day of the surgery, the patient is given general anaesthesia to induce unconsciousness so that the patient does not feel any pain or discomfort. If you are allergic to anaesthesia, it is better to discuss the problem beforehand with your doctor so that they can be prepared for any complication.
 After inducing unconsciousness, the doctors clean the site of incision and carefully make 2 to 3 small incisions or holes from which the catheter is inserted. The incisions can be made on the side of the patient's chest, his arm or his leg. Depending upon the site of incision, there are three major approaches through which the surgery can be performed.
Transfemoral Approach - The catheter is introduced inside the body via the femoral artery.
Transapical Approach - The catcher is introduced through the apex of the heart.
Transaortic Approach - The catheter is introduced through the ascending aorta.
 Once the catheter is introduced inside the patient's body, it is very carefully directed towards the affected valve with the help of a microscopic camera which helps to generate live images on a large screen. This helps the doctors to perform the surgery with higher precision and accuracy.
 When the catheter reaches the affected area, the balloon is inflated to make space for the placement of the new valve. After the graft has been placed in the right position, the balloon is deflated and the catheter is removed and the incision is sealed.
The patient may experience slight pain and discomfort after the surgery, however, this is temporary and goes away with time. The surgery also has certain complications associated with it. These include irregular heartbeats, scarring, clot formation and damage to the vessels.

After the surgery, the patient will be recommended to opt for physiotherapy. This helps to fasten the healing process and help the patients to cope up with the surgery.

The patient is required to take complete bed rest for a day or two and prevent rigorous physical activities unless permitted by the doctor. Regular visits to the doctor are mandatory to avoid any complication.

Although the surgery can help to treat the patient it does not guarantee that the problem will not return back in future. Hence it is very important to stick to the guidelines set by the doctor.

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement is a minimally invasive procedure that aims at helping patients suffering from chronic aortic stenosis, a condition marked by the inability of the aortic valve to function properly. Transcatheter aortic valve implantation involves the use of a catheter to reach the affected area. TAVR/TAVI surgery in India is offered at all the leading heart hospitals. Transcatheter aortic valve implantation has helped to treat numerous patients who were not considered to be eligible for the traditional open heart surgery. If you are planning to undergo the surgery, you can consult the best heart surgeon in Gurgaon who specialises in all kinds of heart surgeries be it the traditional open heart surgery or the latest techniques like Transcatheter aortic valve replacement. The surgical procedure is very simple and ensures minimal complications. Although the procedure is quite new, it has Brough about a revolution in the medical world and opened a way for new possibilities. The surgery also ensures a shorter recovery period making it one of the highly recommended procedures in the field of cardiology.

Hence transcatheter aortic valve implantation is one of the best techniques in the field of Medical Sciences that has made it possible to operate on people who could not undergo the traditional open heart surgery. A lot of foreign patients also prefer to undergo TAVR/TAVI surgery in India owing to the fact that the surgery is quite cheaper in India. Also, here, the surgery is performed by highly trained and specialised doctors and surgeons who are experts in their field and have years of experience. Utmost priority is given to the health and safety of the patient and they leave no stone unturned to provide you with the best treatment. Transcatheter aortic valve replacement has replaced the traditional open heart surgery to a great extent. Apart from the surgery, positive lifestyle changes and healthy eating habits are also important for increasing the success rate of the surgery.