A healthy heart maintains normal blood flow in its four chambers. This function is performed by its four valves, which open and close between heartbeats. Proper valve opening and closure ensure blood flow in the right direction through the heart, such that blood does not flow backward (backward regurgitation). The aortic valve allows the blood to exit from the heart and flow to the rest of the body. Its function is disturbed in aortic stenosis wherein the aortic valve opening narrows.
Aortic stenosis is a serious condition and prevents the aortic valve from opening fully or moving easily. Thus, the heart’s ability to pump blood to the rest of the body is affected. In some cases, the aortic valve may be damaged, causing regurgitation as the blood flows backward into the heart. The heart has to work harder to pump blood when this happens, and if aortic stenosis is left untreated, it can lead to heart failure or even sudden death.
Aortic stenosis may be caused due to hereditary factors, aging, rheumatic fever, or build-up of calcium or cholesterol on the leaflets, etc. Some of its observable symptoms are:
There is no drug therapy to cure aortic stenosis, and it requires valve replacement. This may be done through open surgery or a minimally invasive approach.
Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) is a proven surgical approach to replace a narrowed aortic valve. It is an ideal surgical option for high-risk patients who cannot have open-heart heart surgery. During the TAVR procedure, a prosthetic valve is implanted using a catheter and expanded over the existing valve. Thus, the artificial valve is wedged into place without removing the old valve.
The valve begins functioning immediately after its in place. Also known as Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI), this procedure allows the aortic valve to be repaired without major surgery and is completed in a span of two hours.
TAVR surgery is recommended for: High-risk aortic stenosis repair surgery:
If a patient is at intermediate or high-risk complications for surgical aortic valve replacement, TAVI heart treatment is indicated. This helps avoid surgical complications due to:
Patients who have undergone aortic valve replacement surgery before, but whose artificial valve is not functioning properly anymore.
A multidisciplinary team of doctors comprehensively evaluate each patient by conducting appropriate diagnostic tests to determine if the procedure is a good treatment option for the patient.
TAVR treatment has several benefits over the conventional procedure to surgically replace the aortic valve. These include:
Thus, TAVI procedure risks are minimal and patients can recover quickly without any postoperative side-effects.
Before the TAVI procedure, the patient may have to adjust their medication and habits like eating or drinking water according to the needs of the treatment. The treatment team will generally discuss these factors with the patient. Some factors that require consideration are:
The following are TAVR procedure steps:
Typically, patients spend a night in the ICU after the procedure. Generally, they are discharged within 2-5 days. Some precautions to be followed afterward are:
Patients with aortic stenosis may develop heart failure over time. Thus, if they notice any of the symptoms below, they should consult their doctor:
The procedure site is susceptible to infections if not maintained hygienically. Therefore, the patient should:
Blood-thinning medications may be required after the procedure to prevent blood clots.
The patient is at a higher risk of infection after TAVR, thus the doctor may prescribe medicines accordingly.
Yashoda Hospitals is a leading provider of healthcare in India, with three decades of experience to its credit. Our team of leading specialists consists of cardiac surgeons, cardiac anesthesiologists, cardiac radiologists, and interventional cardiologists who evaluate and treat each patient jointly. Their expertise is complemented with the latest technology and clinical excellence to deliver the best cardiac care.