Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI)
TAVI is a medical procedure that involves placing a valve in the heart to treat aortic stenosis without making an incision in the chest.
TAVI
If you are an adult who needs an aortic valve replacement and, for some reason, open heart valve surgery is not suitable for you, you may be offered a TAVI procedure instead.
During this minimally invasive procedure, a new valve is inserted percutaneously, without an incision in the chest, without removing the old damaged valve. Through a puncture or a small incision in a vessel (most often the femoral artery), without an incision in the chest, the artificial valve is delivered fully folded to the affected valve by a special system. A new valve is placed inside the diseased valve. As the new valve expands, it pushes the cusps of the old valve apart, and the cusps of the artificial valve begin to regulate the blood flow. After the doctor makes sure that the valve is installed correctly and is functioning well, the delivery system is removed and the puncture/incision is sutured.
Advantages over open surgery:
- less traumatic;
- better tolerability of the operation by weak patients or elderly patients;
- reduced risk of postoperative complications;
- shorter rehabilitation period after surgery (most often patients are discharged 2-3 days after the intervention);
- it is not necessary to constantly take warfarin or other coagulants, which significantly reduces the risk of bleeding in the future.
How to prepare for the surgery?
- Before the operation, the surgeon/interventional cardiologist will examine the patient and prescribe a number of necessary examinations. The patient can choose to make them at their place of residence or directly in our Center.
- The patient can ask all the questions they have about the operation, and the doctor will answer them.
- The patient is expected to be hospitalized a few days before the operation.
Лікарі
Часті питання
- You can wear whatever you want when going to the hospital. During the procedure, you
- will be dressed in a hospital gown.
- Leave your valuables at home.
- One day before the arranged date, your doctor or nurse will tell you what you can and сan eat or drink before the procedure.
- Ask your doctor what medications you should take on the day of the procedure.
- Tell your doctor and/or nurses if you are allergic to anything.
- injected during the procedure.
- The procedure is performed in the X-ray operating room. This room is cool and dimly lit.
- You will lie on a special table above which you will see a large camera and several
- monitors.
- When the contrast medium is injected, you may feel heat or notice redness for a few
- seconds. This is normal – these sensations will quickly disappear.
- Catheters and an introducer are removed from the blood vessel. The doctor will press
- the puncture site with a finger and apply a compression bandage.
- The nurse will check your bandage regularly to prevent bleeding.
- After a puncture in the leg, you need to lie in bed for several hours.
- The puncture site may be sensitive.
- You will need to drink plenty of fluid to clear the contrast material from your body.
