Share this @internewscast.com

TAVR is a non-surgical procedure that minimises ‘invasiveness’ and reduces the risk of ‘morbidity and mortality’. It is performed under mild anesthesia. (Representational image/Freepik)

“Upon arrival, the patient was in a critical condition. She had low blood pressure and was severely symptomatic with breathlessness and giddiness,” said a doctor.

A high-risk patient with a history of severe comorbidities, two strokes, and two angioplasties, underwent a heart procedure that saved her life. No, it was not a heart surgery, but the implantation of a TAVR (valve procedure) that prevented sudden cardiac arrest and improved her well-being. The 72-year-old — who was diagnosed with severe calcified aortic valve stenosis (causing narrowing of the aortic valve in the heart, leading to dizziness with falls, chest discomfort, and severe breathlessness) — was in the safe hands of doctors from Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road, Mumbai. Calcified aortic valve stenosis, it is understood, is more common in elderly people above the age of 65. In this case, the patient also presented a low ejection fraction (EF), which is measured as a percentage of the total amount of blood pumped out from the heart with each heartbeat.

Life-Saving Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) Procedure

A team of doctors carried out one of the first successful life-saving transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedures on the septuagenarian. According to hopkinsmedicine.org, TAVR is a procedure that replaces a diseased aortic valve with a man-made valve. Aortic valve replacement can also be performed with an open-heart surgery, a procedure that is known as surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). It states that while the aortic valve controls blood flow from your heart to your body, if it becomes stiff, it leads to a condition called ‘aortic stenosis’. The heart may then have to work too hard to pump blood through the small valve opening to the rest of your body, leading to a risk of heart failure.

The Patient’s History Of Heart Problems

  • In this patient’s case, she suffered a major heart attack and underwent two angioplasties in 2010 and 2014.
  • She continued to struggle with her health when she had a stroke in 2018, followed by another stroke in 2021.
  • Her condition deteriorated when she developed progressive narrowing of the aortic valve last year.
  • Upon examination, the doctor found her EF was low due to a previous heart attack, leading to restrictions on physical activities.
  • The elderly patient experienced severe dizziness, low blood pressure, and breathlessness in September and July last year.
  • She was admitted to the hospital in December 2023. Later, Wockhardt doctors performed TAVR on her.

“Upon arrival, the patient was in a critical condition. She had low BP and was severely symptomatic with breathlessness and giddiness. The focus was on the aortic valve, which was getting narrow. It results in the valve not fully opening, reducing or blocking blood flow to the body. In severe cases, aortic valve stenosis causes sudden cardiac arrest and death,” warned Dr Anup R Taksande, consultant interventional cardiologist at Wockhardt Hospital, adding that this condition is commonly seen in people over 65 years, with comorbidities like coronary artery disease, stroke, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

TAVR, A Non-Surgical Procedure

The doctor added that TAVR is a non-surgical procedure that minimises ‘invasiveness’ and reduces the risk of ‘morbidity and mortality’. It is performed under mild anesthesia and is suture-less through the groin. “The uneventful procedure lasted for 30 minutes and the patient was shifted to the ICU for a day and made to walk after 12 hours. She was shifted to the ward for a day and then discharged in stable condition [earlier this year]. She returned after 10 days for a follow-up,” said the expert. Patient was ‘asymptomatic’ with no further complaints of giddiness or breathlessness.




Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Experts Reveal the Surprising Trait of Lively 80-Year-Olds with Youthful Minds – Do You Have It?

Researchers have uncovered the secret behind why some individuals in their 80s…

Understanding Food Additives: Dietician Dr. Emily Leeming Highlights Those to Avoid for Gut Health

In recent times, food additives, particularly emulsifiers, have found themselves under scrutiny.…

Impending Malaria Crisis: Study Predicts Unprecedented Resurgence from Funding Cuts

According to a recent analysis, major cuts in contributions from affluent nations…

From Crisis to Cure: How Mounjaro Transformed My Life and Saved Me £200K

Rachel Cooper, a 35-year-old mother from South Wales, turned to weight loss…

Physician Asserts Daily Snack Consumption May Significantly Reduce Dementia Risk

Adopting a simple lunchtime habit could significantly reduce the risk of developing…

Karren Brady Unveils Stunning Transformation in Swimsuit While Enjoying Quality Time with Grandson Amid Weight Loss Speculations

Karren Brady recently took to Instagram to reveal her impressive body transformation,…

Phil Taylor Drops Two Foods from Diet After Discovering Mongolian Ancestry

In a surprising revelation, darts icon Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor has claimed…

Tick-Borne Disease Outbreak Hits New England College Campus, Raising Concerns Among Celebrities

Officials at a university in Connecticut have raised concerns about the increasing…

Discover the Ultimate Fitness Secret for Seniors: Why This Activity Tops Walking and Running

Research conducted by Harvard Medical School has highlighted a novel activity for…

California Health Alert: Three Severe Mpox Cases Detected, Officials Urge Vigilance

Health officials have reported that three individuals in California have contracted the…

Slimming World Unveils Bold Overhaul to Stay Ahead in the Evolving Dieting Industry

Slimming World is set to rename its controversial ‘Syns’ category in an…

From Size 20 to 12 in Five Months: The Surprising Impact of ‘Healthy’ Foods on Weight Loss

A woman has shared her surprising discovery that three foods commonly perceived…