What is TAVI? Cardiology Basics

What is TAVI? Cardiology Basics TAVI is short form for transcatheter aortic valve implantation. It is also called TAVR (transcatheter aortic valve replacement). Surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) was the only option in symptomatic severe aortic stenosis earlier. Now we have the option of implanting a valve without surgery, using artificial valves mounted on balloon catheters. Approaches to TAVI can be transapical, through the left ventricular apex, transfemoral, through the femoral artery or transcarotid, through the carotid artery. Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) When TAVI was initially introduced, it was done only for those at very high risk for surgery. But as the procedure was perfected and the features of the device improved with better technology, it is now being recommended for those with aortic stenosis and low risk for surgery as well. As of now the valve used for TAVI is quite expensive but the cost will gradually come down as the number of procedures being done worldwide increases. Artificial valve mounted on a balloon catheter (TAVI) In the more commonly used approach for TAVI, an artificial valve mounted on balloon catheter is introduced through the femoral artery. It is guided up to the aortic valve through the aorta under fluoroscopy. Once the position of the artificial valve across the aortic valve is confirmed, the balloon is inflated using a syringe like mechanism attached to the other end of the device. The balloon catheter is withdrawn...
Source: Cardiophile MD - Category: Cardiology Authors: Tags: General Cardiology Source Type: blogs