​Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI), also referred to as percutaneous aortic valve replacement, is a minimally invasive procedure to treat severe symptomatic aortic stenosis.

Aortic stenosis is a condition where the heart’s aortic valve becomes narrowed or obstructed, preventing it from opening properly and blocking the flow of blood from the left lower chamber of the heart to the aorta. ​In the early stages, patients with severe aortic stenosis may have no symptoms. However, as the disease progresses, classical symptomatic of breathlessness on exertion, chest pain and syncope heralds a more sinister prognosis.

In a TAVI procedure, the diseased aortic valve is replaced to restore normal blood flow.

Video on Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI)

​Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is performed through a small incision of four to six cm at the groin or chest where a balloon catheter pre-mounted with a tissue valve is guided to the diseased heart valve. The doctor uses echocardiographic and fluoroscopic guidance for visualisation during the valve delivery.

Once at the diseased site, the new valve is placed across the stenotic valve by balloon expansion. This method reduces the trauma to patients as the heart need not be opened up as with the case of the surgical approach and could possibly lead to a faster recovery and shorter hospital stay.

Who is suitable for a TAVI procedure?

Patients with severe aortic stenosis and are not suitable for surgical aortic valve replacement due to multiple medical problems, such as very advanced age, poor heart function, renal failure, severely calcified aorta, previous scarred chest due to surgery or irradiation.