Aortic valve is the valve that maintains the outflow of blood from the left ventricular chamber of the heart into the aorta. In simple words, the aorta is the artery that carries blood to all the parts of the body, and the valve which protects the backflow of blood into the heart is the aortic valve. Sometimes, the aortic valve becomes thick and doesn’t allow free flow of blood. This in medical terms is called aortic stenosis. The patient will complain of fatigue and breathlessness and can complain of chest pain too.
A transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedure is recommended by international guidelines as the first line of treatment for severe aortic stenosis in patients with multiple comorbidities, extreme frailty, high BMI and above the age of 75 years (who are considered high-risk for open heart surgeries). It is also recommended for patients with previous heart surgeries or other serious cardiac/lung ailments or cancer, who have undergone chest radiation with scarred chest tissues. A TAVR procedure provides this set of patients with a low-risk alternative treatment option compared to open heart surgery.
The TAVR surgery has transformed the treatment landscape for patients who were considered high-risk, declined surgery and was left with no treatment option, with the minimally invasive procedure that can be performed in a cath lab under mild sedation and local anaesthesia. The procedure requires a small incision around the groin region for the insertion of a thin, flexible tube called a catheter. The catheter is guided to the damaged aortic valve and a prosthetic valve is placed over it using the balloon mechanism. This biocompatible prosthetic valve pushes the diseased leaflets aside to replace the functions of regulating the blood flow from the heart to the rest of the body. The TAVR procedure takes about 2 to 3 hours and requires hospitalization of about 2 to 3 days.
Clinical evidence suggests that patients who have undergone a TAVR procedure usually resume their normal activities within 2 to 3 weeks after the procedure.
Dr. R. Anantharaman
Senior Consultant Interventional Cardiologist,
Kauvery Hospital, Chennai
Forever Thankful: A Patient’s Message of Gratitude
This is a gratitude note towards the entire team of Kauvery with a special mention of Dr Anantharaman and Dr Kavitha Sundaravadanam.
My father a 93-year-old person with aortic valve stenosis was having problems with daily routines. He used to feel breathless always and this also had a mental and physical impact on him. One fine morning my father became very drowsy and breathless. We rushed him to Kauvery Hospitals where our family physician Dr Kavitha advised us to meet Dr Anantharaman.
Dr Anantharaman, a senior interventional cardiologist, explained the need for valve replacement through the TAVI procedure. He gave us complete confidence and the entire team extended their moral support. The complications and the high risk were explained and the procedure was uneventful thanks to the expertise of the team. After the procedure, my father was monitored closely and under their care came back home normal.
I believe that GOD is there in the form of people.
I would like to express my gratitude to the doctors, nurses and the entire team at Kauvery.
Mr CG Sundarajan Family
Dear Doctor,
I’m Dr Shantha. My husband successfully underwent TAVI under your expert care and guidance. We have no adequate words to express our gratitude and happiness for such a wonderful task. Not only have you given my husband a second chance of life, you have helped us in a very big way to reduce our financial burden involved in this process. A very magnanimous step in our favour, l can never forget. We are both immensely grateful and l pray to God for good health happiness and prosperity for you and your family always.
Regards & Best wishes.
Dr. Shantha
Retired Professor of Gynecology
