Understanding Aortic Stenosis: Is TAVI A Solution?

by Rohit Singh Digital Marketing Manager

Aortic stenosis ranks no. 1 among Valvular heart disease and no. 3 among cardiovascular problems following hypertension and CAD (Coronary Artery Disease). The condition is marked by a severe blockage in the aortic valve which may be a result of many factors. The human heart has for valves – mitral valve, tricuspid valve, pulmonary valve and aortic valve. The aortic valve lies between the left ventricle and the aorta. It is a semilunar valve and performs the function of holding the oxygenated blood before it is pumped to various different parts of the body.

Aortic stenosis is triggered by the narrowing of the aortic valve which affects its ability to open and close properly. As a result of this, the blood is unable to flow freely, which induces excess pressure on the heart muscles. This eventually leads to the weakening of the heart muscles. Doctors from the leading heart transplant hospitals suggest that, if left untreated, patient’s condition can aggravate and he might even suffer from heart failure. If detected early, aortic stenosis can be treated by simple medication however in later stages, surgical intervention may be required.

Now, conventional or open-heart surgery is not the option for everyone as the procedure is quite intensive. TAVI surgery in India has been a hope for numerous patients who were not considered to be eligible for traditional surgery. It is due to this reason that TAVI procedure has gained a lot of impetus in recent years.

Symptoms indicating aortic stenosis and the need for TAVI:

Most of the patients opting for TAVI valve replacement in Delhi complain of the following symptoms:

• Heart murmur or abnormal sound of the heart

• Angina or chronic chest pain

• Dizziness and light-headedness

• Difficulty with breathing and chest discomfort

• Fatigue and general body weakness

• Arrhythmia or abnormal heart rhythms

• Unexplained loss of weight

• Loss of appetite

• Palpitation

What causes aortic stenosis?

Aortic stenosis can be triggered by a number of factors. These include:

• Age-related wear and tear that keeps on progressing

• Scarring due to rheumatic fever suffered in childhood

• Plaque formation due to calcium build-up which clogs the valve

• Inflammation and formation of scar tissue due to radiation therapy

How TAVI surgery can help?

TAVI stands for Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation. It is a catheter-based minimally invasive procedure that is carried out to replace a damaged or diseased valve with a new prosthetic valve made up of living tissues.

The surgery can be performed using two different approaches – the transfemoral approach and transapical approach. The former procedure involves the introduction of the catheter via the groin into the femoral artery without any surgical incision. The latter, however, requires an incision which is either made on the side of the chest or on the arm through which the catheter is introduced.

The procedure involves the use of a tiny camera that helps to generate the live images of the whole procedure on an enlarged screen. These images guide the doctors to carry out the whole procedure without directly accessing the valve.

Benefits of TAVI:

The various benefits of TAVI over the traditional surgery are as under:

• Shorter convalescence as the incisions are very small and heal on their own, within no time.

• Minimal scars

• Reduced blood loss which makes it a reliable treatment option for numerous patients who cannot undergo the traditional surgery.

• Lower risks of infection since the wounds are not large and heal promptly

Risks that cannot be overlooked:

Just like any other medical procedure, there are certain risks associated with TAVI as well. These include:

• Vascular injuries

• Slightly increased risks of stroke

• Allergic reaction to the dye used during the procedure