TAVI (trans-catheter aortic valve implantation: non-surgical aortic valve treatment)
WHAT IS TAVI?
TAVI is a method used for the treatment of aortic valve stenosis (aortic stenosis) that causes difficulty in pumping blood from heart to body. This minimally invasive surgical procedure repairs dysfunctional, damaged valve without removal of the valve. A new valve is placed to the diseased aortic valve region with catheter. This procedure is called as trans-catheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) or trans-catheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI).
Valve-In-Valve
TAVI is a procedure similar to inserting a stent into a vessel. Completely foldable valve is placed on diseased valve by inflating a balloon or by spontaneous expansion of the artificial valve, and thus, diseases valve is replaced with a functioning one. When new valve is expanded, it pushes the old valve to the periphery and ensures healthy and normal blood flow when it operates.
Why Does Tavi Differ From Other Valve Operations?
This procedure is recently approved by FDA (US Food and Drug Administration) and it represents an alternative option for symptomatic valvular stenosis patients, if risk of surgery is high. There are significant differences between conventional aortic valve surgery and TAVI.
In general, chest wall is opened (sternotomy) in conventional valve replacement surgery. However, TAVI requires only puncturing a very small hole on groin or rarely chest cage, and recovery time is very short as thoracic bones are untouched.
Who Are Best Candidates For This Procedue?
TAVI is generally reserved for patients aged 70 to 80. Consequently, there are usually comorbidities and therefore, patients gains a better benefit from this type of a minimally invasive method that ensures a quick recovery.
Although it is a novel method, it can remarkably increase quality of life in patients who has aortic valve disease or has limited alternative options. It prevents cardiac damage, enhances quality of life and prolongs life time, which cannot be achieved with medication therapy.
