Frequently Asked Questions (TAVI)
What exactly is TAVI (Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation)?
TAVI, is a non-surgical, heart valve replacement procedure for patients with severe aortic stenosis. Ie: Instead of
open-heart surgery, a catheter delivers a brand new valve directly to the heart through a small puncture in the leg
or chest. You may see it described as TAVR (Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement) or TAVI/TAVR, don’t google… both are the same thing.
What is Aortic Stenosis?
Aortic valve stenosis is a type of heart valve disease and is also called valvular heart disease. In aortic valve stenosis, the aortic valve is narrowed and doesn’t open fully. This reduces or blocks blood flow from the heart to the aorta and to the rest of the body. Imagine your heart is a pump and now imagine the valves directing fuel to it being clogged, wouldn’t it struggle to perform? Similarly, poor blood flow (stenosis) makes the heart work harder, leading to fatigue, chest pain, breathlessness, dizziness, or fainting.
How is the TAVI procedure performed at Apollo Hospitals?
TAVI is a non-surgical procedure that entails inserting a new collapsible heart valve through a catheter via the groin or leg. The new valve is guided and positioned to perfection at the site of the damaged valve using advanced imaging. Once in place, the new valve expands pushing the leaflets of the old valve aside and handling blood flow.
To understand this better from Dr. Sai Satish himself who is one of the pioneers of TAVI, and who has been performing TAVIs since introduced in 2008.
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