Catheter-assisted aortic valve replacement is a minimally invasive procedure. Doctors opted for this aortic valve replacement operation due to its ease and lack of complications in the best hospitals in Turkey.
Let's agree that minimally invasive operations are currently prevailing in the medical community, and they are often preferred by both doctors and patients, as they provide the same results as open methods with minimal symptoms.
That is why we see that the replacement of the aortic valve by catheterization is a process that has been carried out extensively in recent times, and Turkey has a precedent in the field of cardiac surgery, so follow this medical article with us to find out the reason.
What is TAVR (Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement)?
Catheter-assisted aortic valve replacement is a surgical procedure aimed at changing the aortic valve when it is damaged or unable to perform its function as required, and it is often performed in patients with aortic stenosis.
Through this small operation, the new heart valve is placed over the diseased valve, whereby a new valve is obtained without surgery.
This valve functions similarly to the meshes used to dilate coronary (coronary) vessels when they are clogged (due to myocardial infarction).
Since once the new heart valve is placed, it removes the old valve to replace it in regulating blood movement (valve-within-valve process).
What is involved in TAVR aortic valve replacement?
Valve replacement usually requires an open-heart procedure with a “sternotomy,” where the chest is surgically separated (opened) for replacement, while TAVR or TAVI can be performed through very small incisions that leave all the breastbone in place.
Although every operation, no matter how small, has several risks, the risks of this operation are very few, as it is similar to placing a stent in the coronary arteries, and it also provides a good option for patients who do not have the opportunity to change the valves through surgery, and there are two methods for this operation, the doctor chooses the best for your case :
First method:
The angiologist inserts the cardiac catheter from the femoral or radial artery, which does not require a surgical incision in the chest. Many patients are treated with sedative drugs and local anesthesia, which are called non-hypnotic narcotics. The valve is reached with the help of interventional radiology and the artificial valve is placed in place of the old valve.
Second method:
The second procedure is done by entering through a very small incision in the chest and then accessing the aortic valve.
Is Catheterized Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) better or Endoscopic or Robotic Aortic Valve Surgery?
Recently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), this procedure is an alternative to surgery for a patient with aortic valve stenosis if surgery is high-risk.
There are significant differences between standard aortic valve surgery and TAVI.
TAVR may also be an option if you have a biological valve that was previously implanted to replace the aortic valve but is now not working well.
It should be noted that the artificial aortic valve that is used in this operation may be made of folds taken from the heart of a pig, so the doctor must be noted in case you have a problem with this matter, to put a valve for you that took some of its components either from cows (which is most) or from animals Others, as determined by the doctor.
Who is a suitable candidate for aortic valve replacement without surgery?
Patients who undergo a TAVI procedure are usually in their 70s or 80s, so they have other concomitant health problems, and these patients benefit most when using minimally invasive methods with a rapid recovery.
Although it is a new method, it significantly increases the quality of life in patients with aortic valve disease who do not have a surgical alternative, because it prevents further damage to the heart, increases the quality of life and increases the length of survival, which cannot be achieved with drug therapy.
The quality of life - as I explained numerous studies Short term catheter aortic valve replacement - It was similar to surgery, but to date there are not enough studies on the preference for choosing treatment by catheter or by surgery.
But the installer so far via this study Several other studies show that transcatheter heart valve replacement is the gold standard for patients with symptomatic aortic valve stenosis who are classified as high risk for intervention.
Learn more about operations Change the heart valves In Turkey and is it cardiac catheterization best mother Open heart surgery? You could contact us, where it is presented to you Bimaristan center The best medical advice and directs you to the best medical centers at the lowest possible price.
Complications of transcatheter aortic valve replacement and postoperative complications
This operation has few complications, but changing an important valve such as the aortic valve in a sensitive location may carry some risks, including:
- Damage to the patient's blood vessels
- Apoplexy
- Severe heart failure
- Fluid buildup in the heart
- Bleeding due to the diluted medicines that the patient uses most often
- Kidney failure due to medications given during the operation that may cause anaphylactic shock (a very small percentage)
- irregular heartbeat and the need for Implantation of a pacemaker
- Heart attack
- septic infection
All these complications are relatively rare, and Turkey has worked to mitigate complications by training the best doctors and equipping hospitals to provide The perfect treatment for patients in Turkey.
The patient is usually discharged one or two days after the operation, and he can walk normally as soon as he is discharged.
After the operation, the doctor will prescribe some medications for you, and give you complete instructions to avoid straining the heart or the new valve in the post-operative period.
You can also read more about Valve Replacement via Robotic Surgery in Turkey.
In the end, we find that transcatheter aortic valve replacement is preferred by many elderly patients, as it constituted great hope for those patients who are not candidates for open surgery, and this is what the Bimaristan Center works to provide to its patients of all ages and conditions.
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