Dr Priya Sharma Healthcare Professional
Treating aortic stenosis with TAVI surgery at the earliest can enable you to get back to your routine life quickly.
TAVI surgery is a minimally-invasive way to treat aortic stenosis compared to open heart surgery. TAVI has a shorter procedure time, a shorter hospital stay, and a lesser risk of developing complications compared to open heart surgery.
TAVI involves the implantation of a prosthetic valve using a catheter and expanding it over the existing damaged aortic valve. The artificial valve will be wedged into its appropriate place in this procedure without the removal of the old valve.
The doctor will give a few instructions and guidelines that need to be followed before the procedure.
In this article, we will be discussing the preparation and precautions that need to be taken before TAVI surgery.

Diagnostic tests before TAVI surgery:
Although TAVI was originally recommended for patients who are at high risk with open-heart surgery, the procedure is now approved for anyone with severe aortic stenosis. To determine whether TAVI surgery is a good treatment option or not, the doctor will evaluate the heart health, as well as the overall health of the patient.
The doctor may recommend the following diagnostic tests as a part of the pre-procedure evaluation:
Blood tests: These tests help the doctor to assess the health of the patient. These will include a red blood cell count, which will indicate how much oxygen is being delivered to the cells of the body; the electrolyte levels, which can be distributed by an underlying medical condition; and tests to measure the substances in the bloodstream that will reflect how well the liver, kidneys, and thyroid are functioning.
Chest x-ray: This test helps the doctor to check the size of the heart and reveal whether there is any fluid buildup in the lungs.
Electrocardiogram (ECG): This is a painless test performed to assess the electrical activity of the heart. Electrodes will be taped to the chest, legs, and arms to record and measure the electrical signals that cause the heart to beat.
Transesophageal echocardiogram: This is a type of heart-imaging test that involves placing an ultrasound probe into the esophagus (food pipe) to obtain clear pictures of the chambers of the heart and its valves, and assess how the blood will flow through the heart.
Cardiac MRI or cardiac CT scan: These are imaging tests performed to provide detailed images of the blood vessels, the flow of blood through the heart, and the structure and motion of the heart.
Right heart catheterization: This test is performed to obtain more information about how well the heart pumps blood. A catheter will be inserted through a blood vessel and threaded into the heart and in the main arteries of the lungs. The catheter also helps in measuring the cardiac output and levels of blood oxygen.
Angiogram: This test provided images of the blood vessels of the heart so that the blockages in the heart can be detected. A catheter will be inserted into a blood vessel (usually in the groin region) and threaded up to the heart region. A contrast dye will then be injected through the catheter and x-ray images will be taken to track the flow of blood to the heart muscle.
Stress test: This test will show the response of the heart to exertion. The patient will either be asked to exercise on a stationary bike or a treadmill or be given medication to make the heart work extra hard while the viral signs of the patient will be tracked and the response of the heart will be monitored.
If the diagnostic evaluation indicates that the patient will benefit from TAVI surgery, the doctor will make a treatment plan for the patient.

Preparation and precautions before TAVI surgery:
The following preparation is recommended before TAVI surgery:
The patient needs to talk to the doctor regarding any medicines or supplements that he or she may be currently taking. The doctor will recommend which medicines can or cannot be taken before the procedure.
The patient needs to discuss allergies, if any, with the doctor before undergoing the procedure. This may include any prior reactions to medications.
It is important that the patient discusses any known medical conditions that he or she may be having with the doctor before the procedure.
The doctor may recommend stopping blood-thinning medications like warfarin, aspirin, and NSAIDs a few days before the procedure.
It is important to get a dental checkup done before the procedure, as the oral bacteria can infect the replacement valve. The patient needs to ensure that he or she has good dental health before undergoing TAVI surgery.
The patient needs to avoid wearing any jewelry on the day of the surgery.
The patient should not wear any accessories like dentures, eyeglasses, and contact lenses; or apply any creams, lotions, or ointments on the day of the procedure.
https://www.logintohealth.com/blog/en/heart-diseases/cost-of-tavi-in-mum...
Mar 31st 2023 13:15