TAVI (Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation)
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About Transcatheter aortic valve implantation
A TAVI is a medical procedure that involves fitting a valve into the heart to treat aortic stenosis.
During this minimally invasive procedure, a new valve is inserted without removing the old, damaged valve. The new valve is placed inside the diseased valve.
Before the procedure
You must not have anything to eat or drink six to eight hours before your procedure, you may be advised to stop taking some medication temporarily for a few days before your procedure e.g., blood thinners. If you have diabetes, you may need to discuss your insulin dose with your anaesthetist and cardiologist. Hair may be shaved off at the location on your body where the procedure will take place
During the procedure
the catheter is passed into your heart and positioned within the opening of the aortic valve. Then, the balloon is gently inflated to make room for the new tissue valve, which is placed in position. The new valve which is made of cow or pig tissue is inserted and the balloon is deflated before the balloon and catheter are removed.
The surgeon reaches the heart by one of two approaches either by entering through the femoral artery (large artery in the groin), called the transfemoral approach, which does not require a surgical incision in the chest, or, by using a minimally invasive surgical approach with a small incision in the chest and entering through a large artery in the chest or through the tip of the left ventricle (the apex), which is known as the transapical approach.
Unlike surgical aortic valve replacement, which requires a long incision down the chest (open-heart surgery), TAVR is done using smaller incisions and a thin, flexible tube (catheter) to reach the heart.
you’ll be given a general or local anaesthetic and it usually takes 1-2 hours.
During the TAVI procedure, the treatment team will carefully monitor your vital signs, including blood pressure, heart rate and rhythm, and breathing.
After the procedure
You may spend the night in the intensive care unit (ICU) for monitoring after your procedure. Many returns home within about a week. It generally takes between 2-3 months to fully recover, but this varies as everyone can react differently based on their condition.
Several medications may be prescribed after TAVR, including Blood thinners (anticoagulants) to prevent blood clots formation and antibiotics as Artificial heart valves can become infected with bacteria.
Regular doctor’s checkups and imaging tests are needed after TAVR to make sure the new valve is working properly.
Candidates for Transcatheter aortic valve implantation
Patients with severe aortic stenosis that causes signs and symptoms.
Patients with a biological tissue aortic valve that isn’t working as well as it should.
When the patient suffers from another health condition, such as lung or kidney disease, that makes open-heart valve replacement surgeries too risky.
TAVI can be an effective option to improve the quality of life in patients who otherwise have limited choices for the repair of their aortic valve.
Risks of Transcatheter aortic valve implantation
All surgeries and medical procedures come with some type of risk. Potential risks of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) may include: worn-out valve, kidney disease, blood clots, Infection, irregular heart rhythm, The risk of having a stroke after TAVI is higher and Problems with the replacement valve, such as the valve slipping out of place or leaking (regurgitation)
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