In the spectrum of heart ailments, the most common perception that we have is coronary artery disease, commonly heart blockages. But, many other conditions like heart valve diseases often go unnoticed, with symptoms like fatigue and lethargy dismissed as common signs of ageing.
What is Aortic Stenosis?
Aortic stenosis is a common phenomenon among the elderly which is caused by the build-up of calcium or cholesterol deposits in the aortic valve, leading to the narrowing of aortic valves. This reduces the heart’s ability to pump oxygen-rich blood to the rest of the body. This condition is predominantly a disease affecting older patients who are not fit enough for open surgery. Traditionally, aortic stenosis required open-heart surgery, a complex procedure with significant risks, especially for elderly or high-risk patients.
TAVI: A Minimally-Invasive Procedure for Heart Valve Disease
However, cardiology has witnessed remarkable advancements over the past few years, especially with non-surgical techniques like TAVI/TAVR, which have proven safe and effective for specific heart valve conditions. TAVI (Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation) is a cutting-edge, minimally invasive procedure that restores heart function, revitalises energy, and significantly improves quality of life. This revolutionary procedure eliminates the need for surgery and is a game-changer for both adult and elderly patients who are at high risk for open heart surgery.
While angioplasty once dominated interventional cardiology, today’s treatments address many heart issues, including mitral valve problems and paravalvular leaks, using percutaneous techniques. Some patients may need multiple interventions to address various cardiac conditions. In such cases, minimally invasive procedures are particularly advantageous for managing complex heart failure issues. For example, elderly patients with severe aortic stenosis and atrial fibrillation (AF) often need a combination of treatments. These innovations have transformed the cardiology field and enabled better outcomes and symptom relief for heart failure patients.
TAVI involves the insertion of a new valve using a catheter through a tiny incision in the leg without the need for open-heart surgery. This procedure is very similar to an angiogram and poses low risks for patients, unlike conventional open-heart surgery, which carries a higher risk of mortality and demands a longer hospital stay. It takes about 35-40 minutes, offering the elderly a relatively safer option. A wire is inserted into the diseased valve, and a new valve is loaded and implanted precisely over the diseased valve. The newly implanted valve replaces the older, diseased, and narrowed valve, which results in improved blood flow throughout the body. Compared to open surgery, this procedure is safer, painless, and leaves no scars, making it especially beneficial for older and sicker patients with aortic valve disease.
As the field of cardiology continues to evolve, innovative procedures like TAVI are paving the way for safer, more effective treatments, ensuring that ageing hearts can keep beating strong for years to come.
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