What is TAVI (Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation)? Who Needs TAVI?

What is TAVI (Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation)?

TAVI (Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation), also known as TAVR (Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement), is a minimally invasive procedure used to replace a narrowed aortic valve (severe aortic stenosis) without open-heart surgery.

In this procedure, a bioprosthetic valve is implanted using a catheter, usually inserted through the femoral artery (groin) or sometimes through the chest. The new valve expands and pushes the old, diseased valve aside, restoring normal blood flow.

Who Needs TAVI?

TAVI is recommended for patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis who:

✅ Are at high risk or ineligible for open-heart surgery

✅ Have severe calcification of the aortic valve

✅ Suffer from symptoms like chest pain, breathlessness, fainting, or fatigue

✅ Have coexisting health conditions that make surgery risky (e.g., lung disease, kidney failure, frailty)

Benefits of TAVI

✔ Minimally Invasive – No need for open-heart surgery

✔ Faster Recovery – Hospital stay is usually 2-5 days compared to weeks for open surgery

✔ Lower Risk for Elderly & High-Risk Patients

✔ Immediate Improvement in Symptoms

TAVI vs. Open-Heart Surgery (SAVR - Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement)

Feature	TAVI	SAVR (Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement)
Approach	Catheter-based (minimally invasive)	Open-heart surgery
Recovery Time	Faster (few days)	Longer (weeks)
Risk	Lower for high-risk patients	Higher in elderly/weak patients
Durability	Effective for 10-15 years	Slightly longer durability
Anesthesia	Local or mild sedation	General anesthesia

How is TAVI Done?

1️⃣ Catheter Insertion – A thin tube is inserted into the artery (usually the groin).

2️⃣ Valve Positioning – The new valve is guided to the heart and placed inside the diseased valve.

3️⃣ Valve Deployment – The new valve expands, pushing the old valve aside.

4️⃣ Catheter Removal – Once the new valve is secured, the catheter is removed.

Risks of TAVI

🔴 Blood clots or stroke

🔴 Valve leakage (paravalvular leak)

🔴 Heart rhythm abnormalities (may require a pacemaker)

🔴 Infection or bleeding