What is Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI)?

Heart valve problems are common and life-threatening conditions. Surgeries performed on heart valves can sometimes be quite dangerous for patients. In this aspect, we can say that replacing heart valves without surgery in cases where surgeries are dangerous is progress in medicine. Aortic valve replacement can be performed without surgery with interventional methods known in medical terms as Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI).

Aortic stenosis is the narrowing or worsening of the valve between the heart's left ventricle, which pumps blood around the body, and the main aorta artery. When aortic stenosis develops further, the left ventricle of the heart is exposed to high pressure and there is a decrease in the amount of blood pumped throughout the body. As a result of aortic stenosis, the exposure of the heart to high pressure and the decrease in blood pumped to the body are not observed to some extent. However, in cases where there is a large narrowing of the aortic valve, then one eone encounters labored breathing, chest pain, and sometimes complaints of fainting

In the later stages of aortic stenosis, the patient also has a risk of sudden death. In this aspect, the treatment of patients in cases of aortic stenosis with the TAVI method is a critical opportunity.

When can TAVI be applied?

TAVI is the process of widening the narrowed area of the valve that reaches the heart without opening the chest and without stopping the heart. The aortic valve, where aortic stenosis occurs, is the valve located at the mouth of the main vessel that comes directly from the heart. Over time, patients may experience more problems with their aortic valve, where the valve cannot perform its functions as healthily as it once did and has difficulty opening and closing.

Patients who can undergo Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI):

Elderly patients,

Patients with heart disease who simultaneously have chronic health problems,

Patients and cases where general anesthesia is inappropriate,

Patients whose general state of health is not suitable for open surgery.