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.
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.
