Advanced TAVI Procedure Helps Fortis Escorts Faridabad Treat Two Critically High-Risk Elderly Cardiac Patients

Faridabad, 14 January 2026: In a significant medical achievement, doctors at Fortis Escorts Hospital Faridabad have successfully treated two elderly, critically high-risk cardiac patients suffering from severe aortic stenosis, a potentially fatal heart valve condition, using Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) - a minimally invasive alternative to open-heart surgery. The procedures were performed by a multidisciplinary cardiology team led by Sanjay Kumar, Senior Director – Cardiology, Fortis Escorts Hospital Faridabad. 

The patients - a 86-year-old man and a 79-year-old woman, were both considered extremely high risk for conventional surgical aortic valve replacement due to advanced age and multiple co-morbidities, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, hypertension, and underlying coronary artery disease with prior stenting. Both the patients were admitted with progressive shortness of breath, giddiness, and exertion--symptoms that significantly impact quality of life and indicate advanced valve disease. 

Diagnostic 2D echocardiography confirmed severe aortic stenosis in both the cases. They had high mortality rates - 15.8% for the 86-year-old male patient and 12.1% for the 79-year-old female patient -categorizing them as very high risk for open-heart surgery. If left untreated, the condition carries a poor prognosis, with survival expectancy reducing to mere 2 to 3 years.

Given the high surgical risk, the cardiology team opted for TAVI, a state-of-the-art, minimally invasive procedure that allows diseased aortic valve replacement without opening the chest. Both procedures were performed under conscious sedation, minimising anaesthesia-related risks in elderly patients. The 86-year-old male patient underwent TAVI procedure completed, which was done in approximately 2.5 hours. The 79-year-old female patient underwent a 3-hour-long TAVI procedure. Despite the complexity, both the procedures were executed successfully. Both the patients showed significant clinical improvement post-procedure and were discharged in a stable condition.

Giving details of the cases, Dr Sanjay Kumar, Senior Director, Cardiology, Fortis Escorts Hospital, Faridabad said, “Severe aortic stenosis in elderly patients with multiple co-morbidities presents an enormous challenge. Severe aortic stenosis affects nearly 8-9% of the elderly population and, if untreated, can rapidly become life-threatening. TAVI has emerged as a life-saving option for patients who are otherwise deemed inoperable. These cases demonstrate how advanced technology, careful patient selection, and a multidisciplinary approach can dramatically improve outcomes, even in very high-risk individuals.”