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.”

Dr Abhishek Sharma, Facility Director, Fortis Escorts Hospital, Faridabad said, “The complex cases highlight the advanced cardiac care infrastructure we have built at Fortis Escorts Hospital, Faridabad. These successful interventions reinforce Fortis Escorts Hospital, Faridabad’s commitment to offering cutting-edge, minimally invasive cardiac care, especially to elderly and high-risk patients who were previously considered unsuitable for surgery. We are proud of our clinicians for ensuring a safe outcome in a situation where conventional surgery was not an option. Our focus remains on providing timely, world-class care to every patient who walks through our doors.”