TAVI (Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation) in Navi Mumbai

TAVI / TAVR - Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation in Navi Mumbai

A transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) or transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) may be an option for you when you receive a diagnosis of aortic stenosis and can’t have open heart surgery. With aortic stenosis, also called aortic valve stenosis, your aortic valve is narrowed and does not open fully, restricting blood flow from the heart to the rest of your body. Fortis Hospital, Vashi, offers a full range of treatments for aortic valve disease. Our experts use advanced surgical options and minimally invasive valve replacement, including robotic procedures, which offer improved patient outcomes. In fact, our cardiovascular specialists are among the region’s most experienced at performing TAVI procedures.

This article explains what TAVI is, why you might need it, how it’s done, the benefits and risks of this innovative procedure, when to seek emergency medical help, and why you should choose Fortis Hospital, Vashi, for heart valve treatment.

What is TAVI?

TAVI is a minimally invasive surgical procedure used to treat patients with aortic valve disease, including aortic stenosis. The procedure involves inserting a new valve made from cow or pig tissue inside the damaged aortic valve through a catheter. This improves blood flow in your heart and eases symptoms of aortic stenosis.

TAVI was used as an alternative to open-heart aortic valve replacement surgery for older people and high-surgical-risk patients. People at lower risk of complications from heart surgery may also benefit from TAVI, which cuts down recovery time.

However, the decision to have TAVI will be made after consultation with your heart care experts. At Fortis Hospital, Vashi, our experienced heart care team will do a comprehensive evaluation to determine if TAVI procedure is right for you.

Why Would You Need TAVI?

Your doctor may recommend TAVI if you have severe aortic stenosis that causes symptoms, like chest pain and shortness of breath, but you are at high risk for open heart surgery due to a health condition, such as kidney or lung disease. Your doctor may also suggest you have this procedure if you have a replacement valve made from animal heart tissue that is no longer functioning well.

At Fortis Hospital, Vashi, our heart specialists and surgeons will discuss options with you and recommend the most appropriate heart valve procedure based on multiple factors, including your current symptoms, the condition of your arteries, your age, and overall health.

Who Is Not a Candidate for TAVI?

While TAVI is a revolutionary, less invasive treatment with many benefits, it’s not for everyone facing severe aortic stenosis. TAVR may not be right for you if you have certain conditions, including:

• Anatomical issues that make it difficult for the new valve to fit
• A congenital heart defect
• A heart attack within the last month
• A life expectancy of less than 1 year
• Other heart valve problems, such as mitral regurgitation

How is a TAVI Procedure Performed?

If you are a good candidate for TAVI following a thorough evaluation, our team of heart valve experts at Fortis Hospital, Vashi, will provide information and specific instructions on how to prepare for your treatment – such as which medications you can or cannot take, getting a dental check-up, and when you need to stop eating or drinking prior to your procedure, etc. They will also walk you through the details of the procedure.

Heart specialists at Fortis Hospital, Vashi, usually perform TAVI with conscious sedation, and the procedure takes about an hour or two.

During the procedure, your surgeon and cardiologist will:

• Make a small incision in the groin, neck, or side of your chest (depending on your individual anatomy) and insert a catheter with a biological tissue valve into a blood vessel.
• Guide the catheter with the new valve to the diseased aortic valve in the heart using a special moving X-ray (fluoroscopy) or other imaging tools.
• Position the new valve within the diseased valve and expand it to restore proper blood flow – the new valve either expands by itself, or a balloon attached to the catheter tip may be used to put the replacement valve into place.
• Remove the catheter once the new valve is securely placed.

Recovery After TAVI

After the procedure, you’ll be monitored and observed closely in a recovery area for 1-2 hours before being moved to your hospital room, most probably in an intensive care unit. 

While most people can go home within a few days after a TAVI procedure, you may have to stay in the hospital a little longer, depending on your individual condition.

Before you leave the hospital, your heart care team at Fortis Hospital, Vashi, will give you some medications to prevent blood clots and infections. They will tell you how to care for your wounds as you recover at home. They will also tell you how soon you can return to your normal activities. TAVI has a shorter recovery time compared to open heart surgery, meaning you can get back to your everyday life faster. Most people can recover fully within 6-10 weeks after the procedure.

Follow-Up Care after TAVI

At Fortis Hospital, Vashi, your heart care team will give you specific follow-up instructions. You’ll also start cardiac rehabilitation within days of your TAVI procedure. Our cardiac rehab programme is designed to improve heart health through personalised exercise and education on heart-healthy lifestyles.

You will have a follow-up appointment with your cardiologist at the TAVI centre a few weeks after the procedure. Your heart care team will schedule regular follow-ups to check that your new valve is functioning properly. 

When to Seek Emergency Medical Care

Get medical help right away if you have:

• Severe and sudden shortness of breath
• Chest tightness or pain
• Fainting
• Arm or leg weakness

You should report to your cardiologist or care team if you experience any unusual symptoms, such as:

• Fever
• Dizziness
• Lightheadedness
• Pain, swelling, change in skin colour, or bleeding at the insertion site
• Ankle swelling

What are the Benefits and Risks of TAVI?

Benefits of TAVI include:

• Less invasive procedure with smaller incisions
• Shorter hospital stays and quicker recovery
• Reduced risk of infections
• Improved symptoms and better quality of life

Like all surgeries, TAVI carries some risks and complications, such as:

• Injuries to blood vessels
• Bleeding
• Infection
• A need for a pacemaker or follow-up surgery
• Stroke
• Heart attack
• Kidney damage
• Other serious life-threatening events, or even death in rare cases

What’s the Prognosis/Outlook after TAVI?

Most people find their symptoms improve after TAVI, allowing them to live a full and active life, although the outlook for everyone may vary, depending on various factors. 

Making healthier lifestyle choices will improve your chances of long-term success and reduce your risks of complications from TAVI.

Why Choose Fortis Hospital, Vashi, for Heart Valve Treatment?

• Comprehensive Treatment 
• Compassionate, Personalised Care
• Collaborative Care
• Skilled Cardiologists and Cardiac Surgeons
• Expertise in TAVI and Other Heart Procedures
• Minimally Invasive Options
• Advanced Technology 

Conclusion

The thought of having a heart valve replacement treatment, like TAVI, can be scary and overwhelming. But choosing a reputable healthcare centre that has experienced cardiologists and cardiac surgeons can make all the difference.  TAVI is a minimally invasive procedure that offers a better option to patients who can’t have open surgery to treat severe aortic stenosis.

At Fortis Hospital, Vashi, our heart valve specialists have extensive experience performing a wide range of cardiac procedures, besides TAVI. We are widely recognised for our unmatched expertise and excellent results. If you need heart valve treatment and want personalised, expert care, our specialists can help.

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Fortis Hiranandani Hospital Vashi, Navi Mumbai

Address: Mini Sea Shore Road, Sector 10, Vashi, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra - 400703

Ph. 02268846143