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No need for surgery! Why are more and more patients choosing transcatheter heart valve replacement (TAVI)?
With the advancement of medical technology, transcatheter heart valve replacement (TAVI) has become the first choice for more and more patients in recent years, especially when facing severe aortic stenosis. The biggest advantage of this surgical method is that it does not require open surgery, reducing the patient's risks and recovery time during the operation.
The main feature of transcatheter heart valve replacement is to implant an artificial heart valve into the heart through blood vessels without removing the original heart valve.
TAVI was first successfully performed in 2002 by French physician Alain Cribier, marking the birth of a new treatment method for patients with high-risk aortic stenosis. This procedure is suitable for patients with poor prognosis and severe symptoms, as the mortality rate within two years can be as high as 50% in these patients without intervention. Traditional surgical interventions are too risky for certain high-risk patients, but TAVI has shown good results, significantly reducing mortality and cardiovascular symptoms.
Currently, the implementation of TAVI has been extended to patients with medium risk, and studies have shown that its effect is no less than traditional surgical valve replacement. Patients often decide whether to choose TAVI based on their age: patients under 75 years old usually prefer surgery, while those over 75 years old prefer TAVI.
Transcatheter heart valve replacement has attracted many patients, especially older patients, with its unique advantages, because the surgery is less invasive and the rest and recovery time is relatively short.
As for the choice of catheter, there are various methods for installing the aortic valve, including transfemoral artery, transapical artery, and transsubclavian artery. During the operation, the doctor will choose the appropriate entry point based on the patient's specific situation.
Postoperative Care and Possible Complications
After completing the TAVI procedure, patients must undergo regular medical examinations and imaging tests, as well as use anticoagulants to prevent blood clots. Additionally, because prosthetic heart valves are susceptible to bacterial infection, patients may need to take antibiotics before undergoing certain dental procedures to prevent infection.
Although TAVI is considered a safe and effective treatment option, it still carries a potential risk of complications, including paravalvular leaks, major bleeding or vascular complications, acute kidney injury, and stroke. In addition, special attention should still be paid to possible cardiac conduction abnormalities after surgery, and in some cases a permanent pacemaker may need to be implanted.After surgery, maintaining good dental hygiene and regular dental cleanings are effective ways to prevent heart valve infections.
Postoperative Recovery and Long-term Outlook
After surgery, patients can start walking within 24 hours and usually need to stay in the hospital for one night. As recovery progresses, the patient's mobility will gradually improve, and most people can return to normal activities within two weeks. However, some patients may feel weak due to fatigue in the early stages after surgery, and the recovery rate varies from person to person.
There is still a lack of long-term follow-up data on the durability of TAVI, but studies have shown that with the advancement of technology, modern valve products have better performance in terms of durability. Future studies will help us understand how TAVI valves perform in the long term, especially in younger patients who may need future reoperations as they live longer.
TAVI not only brings new hope to patients, but also provides more possibilities for the treatment of heart disease, demonstrating the progress of modern medicine.
With the popularity and development of TAVI surgery, many patients have begun to turn to this gentler treatment method, especially elderly patients who cannot bear the risks of traditional surgery. Their choice is not only a recognition of medical technology, but also reflects their desire to improve their quality of life. In the future, with more technological innovations, will you also choose this non-invasive treatment to improve your heart health?
