Yes, an aortic heart valve can be replaced with a new valve through transcatheter aortic valve replacement surgery—a minimally invasive procedure that involves catheter-based implantation of the new valve inside the diseased valve.

Can Heart Valve Replacement Be Done Without Open-Heart Surgery?

Did you know heart valve replacement doesn’t always require major open-heart surgery? Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has become a preferred approach for people with aortic valve stenosis, a condition in which the aortic valve narrows and reduces blood flow from the heart to the body.

If you have symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, or fainting, you may need heart valve replacement in Kolhapur. However, this minimally invasive procedure is not an appropriate treatment choice for all. Let’s see when TAVR may help.

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement: A Minimally Invasive Surgical Approach

Unlike traditional open surgery, TAVR implants the new valve inside the existing aortic valve without opening up your breastbone. It’s a straightforward procedure in which the new valve is attached to a thin, flexible tube called a catheter.

The catheter is inserted into the artery in your groin and is guided to the heart. Once it reaches the aortic valve, the valve is expanded and secured. After the surgery is done, the new valve takes over the job of the old, diseased aortic valve. It starts opening up to allow blood to pass to the aorta and closes to prevent the blood from flowing backward.

When is TAVR a Suitable Surgical Approach?

Having aortic stenosis doesn’t automatically mean you need surgery. Whether TAVR is a suitable treatment option for you depends on how severely the aortic valve is narrowed and your heart’s anatomy. When this valve is narrowed, your heart works harder to push the blood into the aorta.

Severe narrowing can cause breathlessness, fatigue, and other symptoms. A qualified cardiologist in Kolhapurwill order an echo and CT scans to get a clear look at your heart valve and your overall heart function. The surgeon may also consider factors like your age, health, and life expectancy to determine if TAVR is a suitable option.

When is Open-Heart Surgery Considered for Aortic Valve Replacement?

An open-heart surgery may be a more effective treatment option if the aortic valve anatomy makes it difficult to safely guide the new valve and position it inside the diseased valve correctly.

Likewise, an open surgery is recommended when the patient may have additional heart conditions that can be addressed along with aortic valve replacement.

Note that TAVR may be a less-invasive alternative to traditional heart surgery, but it is still a major operation that may require a short hospital stay.

Is TAVR Better than Open Heart Surgery?

TAVR does offer many advantages over conventional surgery, but only for suitable candidates. The clearest advantage is that it doesn’t require cutting the breastbone.

Since it’s a catheter-based procedure, it involves less physical trauma and a shorter recovery. It may also be a safer approach for patients who are at increased risk of complications from conventional surgery.

That said, TAVR doesn’t come without risks. It can cause heart rhythm problems, leakage around the valve, or a need for a permanent pacemaker. At WIINS Hospital in Kolhapur, the benefits of TAVR are compared with the risks before this procedure is considered.