Life slows down once a heart problem hits. Even seemingly easy tasks like walking to the market, ascending a few steps, or simply getting through a typical day might suddenly seem more difficult than they should. It might be frightening, perplexing, or just overwhelming to learn that you or a member of your family has aortic stenosis. This is, of course, a normal reaction. When they initially hear the news, most people have similar emotions.
Going for TAVI or TAVR becomes a life-saving solution in this situation. This cutting-edge, minimally invasive cardiac treatment has revolutionised the possibilities of enhancing the quality of life of patients suffering from severe aortic valve disorders. With TAVI, doctors can replace the damaged heart valve through a small incision, often in the leg, instead of opening the thoracic cavity and carrying out conventional open-heart surgery. Let’s scroll down to learn more about this procedure, associated risks, recovery aspects, and its cost in India.
What is TAVI (TAVR) Heart Surgery?
Transcatheter aortic valve replacement, or TAVR, is a surgical approach that replaces your heart's aortic valve without requiring open heart surgery. The aortic valve is an essential component of your heart that regulates blood flow. Through that valve, your heart pumps blood that is rich in oxygen to your aorta and the rest of your body. People who have a weak or constricted aortic valve that prevents blood from reaching their body's cells may benefit from this minimally invasive therapy. TAVR is also known as transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI).Why is TAVI (TAVR) Heart Surgery Recommended?
The narrowing of the valve reduces the amount of blood that goes out of the heart to the rest of your body, causing your heart to work harder to compensate. This usually ends up in long-term damage to your heart muscle and eventually causes heart failure.What Conditions Require TAVI (TAVR) Heart Surgery?
Aortic valve stenosis is treated by transcatheter aortic valve replacement, or TAVR. This disease is characterised by thickening, stiffening, and narrowing of the heart's aortic valve. Because of the valve's inability to open completely, less than the required blood reaches the body. TAVI is a minimally invasive alternative to open-heart aortic valve replacement surgery. Compared to patients undergoing open heart surgery, TAVR patients have shorter hospital stays. This procedure is recommended in the following conditions:- Severe aortic stenosis that manifests as breathlessness and chest discomfort.
- The previous valve replacement surgery failed.
- Another medical issue that increases the risk associated with open heart surgery such as renal or lung problems.
What is the Procedure of TAVI (TAVR) Heart Surgery?
TAVI is performed in the following steps:Sedation is given to keep the patient comfortable ↓ Medicine is given to prevent blood clots ↓ A small cut is made to insert a thin catheter into the femoral artery (or another access point if needed) ↓ The catheter is then threaded up to the heart carefully ↓ A new valve is placed inside the old aortic valve and expanded ↓ The new valve pushes the old valve aside and takes over its function ↓ The cardiologist checks for leaks and any other issues ↓ The catheter device is removed from the body ↓ The access points are stitched and bandaged
What is the TAVI (TAVR) Heart Surgery Cost in India?
The cost of a TAVR/TAVI heart surgery in India ranges from INR 24,36,000 (USD 29,000) with an Indian-made implant to INR 42,60,000 (USD 50,700) with an American-made implant. Heart care hospitals in India, like Asian Heart Institute, provide unparalleled heart care at a very affordable cost.What are the Advantages of TAVI (TAVR) Heart Surgery in India?
The following are the advantages of the transcatheter aortic valve replacement procedure over conventional surgery. These advantages are:- Less invasive
- Shorter hospital stays
- Faster recovery
What are the Risks of TAVI (TAVR) Heart Surgery in India?
The TAVR treatment is quite successful. Many patients who require aortic valve replacement are considered "high-risk" due to the severity of their stenosis or other medical issues. That implies they are already at a higher risk of complications from a major surgery, such as open-heart surgery. TAVR is a great option for them. Although rare, but following are the risks associated with TAVI in India:- Anesthesia-related complications
- Leakage of the new valve
- Bleeding
- Stroke
- Infection
- Heart attack
- Low blood pressure
- Kidney, heart, or blood vessel injury
- Damage to the aorta
Outlook of TAVI (TAVR) Heart Surgery’s Recovery
After transcatheter aortic valve replacement, the majority of patients are able to leave the hospital in a single day. Some patients may have to stay in the hospital for up to two days. Depending on your situation and overall health status, the total TAVR recovery time may vary. Before lifting heavy objects or engaging in any other physical activity, you must wait a week (or more, depending on where you had the catheter access point). After TAVR, you can return to work two weeks later and resume driving after a month of recuperation. It takes six to ten weeks to fully recover.Conclusion
When anything goes wrong with your heart valves, it may be frightening and stressful. Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has been performed successfully on thousands of patients, giving a new perspective on life. Regardless of your surgical risk level, it has several advantages over open-heart surgery. The cardiac experts at Asian Heart Institute are fully prepared to provide you with the assistance you require.At Asian Heart Institute, the top cardiothoracic surgeons in Mumbai hold high expertise in performing such complex procedures. If you need any help, book your consultation now!
FAQs
Q1: What is the 10-year survival rate for TAVI?A: Overall, 58% of TAVI patients survived for five years, and 20% survived for ten.
Q2: For how long are you advised to have bed rest after TAVI?
A: Following the procedure, you will be advised to have strict bed rest for six to eight hours. When you cough, sneeze, sit down, or stand up within the 48 hours following the surgery, you should gently push with the tips of your fingers at the access site.
Q3: Will heart failure be improved with TAVR?
A: TAVR can provide significant improvements in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), symptoms, and survival in patients with heart failure in up to two-thirds of patients post-procedure.
