Transcatheter aortic valve implantation

Cardiovascular diseases can make a significant impact on the quality of life. If you have been diagnosed with aortic stenosis, we may be able to offer you a minimally invasive procedure called Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), making a real difference to our patients, as it improves the heart’s ability to pump blood throughout the body; hence they feel more active and less fatigued post-procedure.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is a treatment recommended to treat aortic valve disease called aortic stenosis. The aortic valve functions by allowing the flow of oxygenated blood from the heart into the aorta that supplies blood to the rest of the body. In people diagnosed with aortic stenosis, the aortic valve degenerates and interrupts the functioning of the heart as it struggles with pumping blood through the narrowed valve.

The resistance to blood flow through the aorta valve may result in:

• Breathlessness
• The strain on the heart and chest pain
• Dizzy spells during physical activity such as exercising or walking
• Fainting
• Swollen ankles

If aortic stenosis isn’t diagnosed and treated timely and appropriately, it may lead to serious heart complications over time.

How is Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) Performed?

After extensive investigation and assessment by a multidisciplinary team of cardiac surgeons and cardiologists, TAVI is indicated to a patient who is at high risk for open surgery on the aortic valve. The assessment requires the patient to undergo various screening tests, such as Echocardiogram, CT scan, and others before advising on this course of action as a treatment for cardiovascular disease.

The procedure of TAVI is usually administered under mild sedation with a local anesthetic that keeps the patient awake and conscious but unconcerned about the pain throughout the procedure. The Surgeon then makes a small incision, usually in the groin, between ribs, or under the collarbone and inserts a thin, flexible tube called “catheter” towards the heart and through the aortic valve to inflate a small balloon that dilates the old, narrowed aortic valve and creates space for the artificial valve. A new valve, composed of bovine (cow) tissue, is expanded to adjust in the space inside the old valve.

Since this is a minimally invasive procedure, it offers better recovery time that allows patients to resume their day-to-day activities more quickly and safely as compared to traditional heart surgery methods.  

Advantages of TAVI:

Many patients having undergone TAVI surgery report the following advantages:

• They have more energy and strength to perform their everyday activities
• Improved breathing, as they feel less breathlessness while talking or walking, or during any physical exertion
• They experience minimal or no pain during exertion
• They feel less anxious

Book an Appointment:

We believe the optimal cardiac care can only be attained by bringing together the best cardiologists in their fields at the American Hospital Dubai’s Cardiology Center. Our cardia specialists work in close coordination with each other for you and your heart and offer appointments throughout the week. If you seek further information about Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) in Dubai or have been referred for the procedure, please book an appointment with our Cardiac Care Specialist by filling out the online form that appears on your monitor screen.