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CARDIOLOGY & CARDIAC SURGERY Procedure

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR / TAVI)

TAVR is a revolutionary percutaneous procedure that replaces a calcified, narrowed aortic valve using a expandable valve catheter inserted through the femoral artery without open-heart surgery.

TAVR / TAVI — transcatheter aortic valve replacement
TAVR / TAVI — transcatheter aortic valve replacement

Clinical Overview & Disease Information

TAVR is a revolutionary percutaneous procedure that replaces a calcified, narrowed aortic valve using a expandable valve catheter inserted through the femoral artery without open-heart surgery.

Signs & Symptoms

Early Symptoms
  • Mild shortness of breath when walking uphill
  • Exertional fatigue and dizziness
Common Symptoms
  • Classic Triad: Angina chest pain, Syncope (fainting), and Dyspnea
  • Heart murmur detected on auscultation
  • Severe breathlessness climbing one flight of stairs
Emergency Symptoms
  • Sudden fainting / loss of consciousness during exertion
  • Acute pulmonary edema with gasping for air

Causes & Risk Factors

Primary Causes & Etiology

  • Age-related senile calcific aortic stenosis
  • Congenital bicuspid aortic valve degeneration
  • Rheumatic heart disease valve scarring

Who is at Higher Risk?

  • Elderly adults over 70 years
  • Patients with prior open-heart surgery
  • High-risk surgical candidates with frail health

Diagnostic Evaluation & Testing

Diagnostic Test Clinical Purpose / What It Shows
Multi-Slice ECG-Gated TAVR CT Angiogram Measures aortic annulus dimensions, sinus of valsalva, and femoral access vessel diameter
Transesophageal Echocardiogram (TEE) Measures mean transvalvular pressure gradient (>40 mmHg) and aortic valve area (<1.0 cm2)

Comprehensive Treatment Options

Transfemoral TAVR / TAVI Percutaneous Implantation

Catheter-based insertion of Balloon-Expandable (SAPIEN) or Self-Expanding (Evolut) prosthetic valve under conscious sedation.

Key Advantages:
No open chest incision
No heart-lung bypass machine required
Discharge home in 48-72 hours
Rapid symptomatic relief

Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement (SAVR)

Open-heart surgical removal of calcified aortic valve and replacement with mechanical or biological valve prosthesis.

Recommended For:
Younger active patients (< 65 years)
Concomitant multi-vessel CAD requiring CABG
Aortic root enlargement needed

Advanced Medical Technologies Available in Partner Hospitals

Edwards SAPIEN 3 Ultra Valve Medtronic Evolut PRO+ Self-Expanding Valve Sentinel Cerebral Embolic Protection Device

Possible Complications If Untreated

Vascular access site bleeding / hematoma
Complete heart block requiring permanent pacemaker
Paravalvular leak
Stroke

Recovery Timeline, Diet & Lifestyle Care

Recovery Timeline

Procedure / Stage Expected Recovery Duration
Procedure & Cath Lab Recovery 2 to 4 hours
Step-Down Cardiac Ward Walking 24 hours
Hospital Discharge Home 48 to 72 hours
Full Active Driving & Normal Routine 2 weeks

Recommended Post-Treatment Diet

  • Low sodium heart healthy diet
  • Adequate hydration
  • High protein recovery foods

Essential Lifestyle Changes

  • Daily walking
  • Avoid heavy lifting > 5kg for 2 weeks
  • Keep groin catheter site clean and dry
When to Contact a Doctor Urgently:
Groin swelling, redness or active bleeding
Dizziness or fainting spells
Sudden shortness of breath

Prevention & Long-Term Health

Annual echocardiography for known bicuspid aortic valve
Strict blood pressure control

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a TAVR valve prosthesis last?

TAVR tissue valves demonstrate excellent durability lasting 10 to 15+ years.

Is TAVR performed under general anesthesia?

Most TAVR procedures are now performed under local anesthesia with light conscious sedation.

Top Recommended Specialists Available

Dr. Ashok Seth

Dr. Ashok Seth

Chairman & Chief Interventional Cardiologist

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Dr. Naresh Trehan

Dr. Naresh Trehan

Chairman & Chief Cardiovascular Surgeon

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Dr. Aseem R. Srivastava

Dr. Aseem R. Srivastava

Chief – Pediatric CTVS & Chief – Adult CTVS

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Dr. Mukesh Kumar Gupta

Dr. Mukesh Kumar Gupta

Head - Critical Care (Unit III) & Heart & Lung Transplant

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Dr. Rajesh Misra

Dr. Rajesh Misra

Chairperson - Anaesthesia

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Dr. Amit Kumar Chaurasia

Dr. Amit Kumar Chaurasia

Chief Cath Lab & TAVI (Unit I)

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Dr. Biswarup Purkayastha

Dr. Biswarup Purkayastha

Consultant – Heart & Lung Transplant and Vascular Surgery

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Dr. Jeetendra Sharma

Dr. Jeetendra Sharma

Chief - Critical Care (Unit II) & Chief- Medical Quality

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Dr. (Col) Balbir Kalra

Dr. (Col) Balbir Kalra

Associate Chief - Cardiology (NIC)

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Dr. Rahul Mehrotra

Dr. Rahul Mehrotra

Chief - NIC & Clinical Cardiology

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Dr. Sameer Mehrotra

Dr. Sameer Mehrotra

Unit Chief - Interventional Cardiology & Electrophysiology

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Dr. Surendra Nath Khanna

Dr. Surendra Nath Khanna

Chairperson - Adult Cardiac Surgery & CTVS

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Dr. Sushant Mishra

Dr. Sushant Mishra

Sr. Consultant - Cardiology & Interventional Cardiology

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Dr. Kuldeep Arora

Dr. Kuldeep Arora

Unit Head & Chief Cath Lab (Unit II)

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Dr. Mukesh Kumar Gupta

Dr. Mukesh Kumar Gupta

Head - Critical Care (Unit III) & Heart & Lung Transplant Team

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Dr. Nidhi Rawal

Dr. Nidhi Rawal

Chief - Paediatric Cardiology

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Dr. Rajesh Misra

Dr. Rajesh Misra

Chairperson - Department of Anaesthesia & Perioperative Medicine

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Dr. Rati Bansal Goel

Dr. Rati Bansal Goel

Head - Critical Care (Unit III)

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Dr. Reshma Tewari

Dr. Reshma Tewari

Chief - Critical Care (Unit I)

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Dr. Shelly Mittal

Dr. Shelly Mittal

Chief - Anaesthesia & Regional Anaesthesia

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Dr. Shubhra Shri Gupta

Dr. Shubhra Shri Gupta

Principal Consultant - Neonatology & Incharge - Pediatric Cardiac Critical Care

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Dr. Swati Aggarwal

Dr. Swati Aggarwal

Principal Consultant - Anaesthesia

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Dr. Vijay Mohan Hanjoora

Dr. Vijay Mohan Hanjoora

Chief - Cardiac Anaesthesia

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Global Cost Comparison Matrix

Procedure USA (Avg) India (ISG) Turkey (Avg) Thailand (Avg)
TAVR / TAVI — transcatheter aortic valve replacement $85,000 $18,500 $25,000 $28,000

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Commonly Prescribed Medications

  • Aspirin 75mg once daily
  • Clopidogrel 75mg once daily (for 3-6 months)
  • Atorvastatin 40mg

International Patient Guide

Estimated Stay in India:
TAVR CT Planning & Workup 1 - 2 days
TAVR Procedure & Hospital Stay 3 days
Outpatient Checkup & Return Flight 7 - 10 days total stay
Documents to Bring:
  • Valid Passport & Medical Visa
  • ECHO & TAVR CT Angiogram CDs
  • Cardiologist Referral