BM Birla Heart Research Centre is now offering advanced TAVI surgery

TAVI is considered to be the gold standard treatment for older and frail patients suffering from aortic stenosis, who have been excluded from undergoing open heart surgery before due to high risk, said Dr Anjan Siotia, Department of Cardiology, CK Birla Hospitals - BM Birla Heart Research Centre.

The advanced technology of TAVI or Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement has given hope of a new life to these geriatric population suffering from vascular disease, he said.

In Eastern India, CK Birla Hospitals - BM Birla Heart Research Centre is  offering this progressive surgical technique for a much better quality of life, the hospital said.

The heart has four valves - mitral valve and tricuspid valve control blood flow from the atria to the ventricles, while aortic valve and pulmonary valve control blood flow out of the ventricles. In short, the basic function of valves is to allow a seamless flow of blood through the heart.

When any of those valves are dysfunctional then previously an open heart surgery was performed to replace them.

Now with TAVIprocedure, the valves can be substituted without opening the heart. This procedure is done through the leg artery via groin where a catheter is passed all the way to the heart. By insertion of a prosthetic catheter through the circulatory system, the old valve is replaced with the new valve which immediately starts working for regulating blood flow.

Open-heart surgery is very risky for people over 50 years of age, who can’t undergo the rigours of this operation. With overall technological advancement across the world, the mortality rate is decreasing quickly and people are living longer these days, especially in Western countries. As older people are more prone to succumbing to such cardio-vascular disorders, they are also at risk when open heart surgery is performed on them.

The most common symptom patients of an extreme aortic-stenosis face are chest pains, complete pre-surgery check-ups including CT scan, X-Ray, blood test, the expert physicians recommend TAVI which has now been proved to be one of the most cutting-edge surgical treatments by medical community across the world. Though TAVI is relatively expensive and few people can afford it.

“TAVI is safe and more effective than open heart surgery as there is no blood loss, much less risk of infection and fast recovery is possible. In India close to 200 surgeries have been done so far, whereas in Eastern India hardly 1-2 have been done till now. At, CK Birla Hospitals- BM Birla Heart Research Centre, we offer the most cutting-edge and reliable technology to perform this surgery along with complete post-surgical care. TAVI is undoubtedly more suitable for most of the patients suffering from aortic stenosis “ says Dr Anjan Siotia.

Dr. Siotia adds the following points to be kept in mind while patients choose to go for TAVI procedure:
1. Always opt of a renowned physician who has hands-on knowledge and expertise on TAVI surgery
2. Verify the credibility of the hospital and its entire infrastructure
3. Go through a proper pre-operative risk evaluation
4. Check your co-morbidities
5. Follow your post-surgery routine and therapy religiously. Go for regular check-ups as recommended by your doctor

Over the years TAVI has definitely emerged to be a life-saving surgery to numerous elderly patients across the world and India.