TAVR

| 28 July 2025

Understanding the TAVI Procedure

The TAVI procedure is a medical technique known as transcatheter aortic valve implantation. It helps improve blood flow in the heart by replacing a faulty aortic valve that does not open properly.

Also called transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), both terms refer to the same procedure with no difference. TAVI is the commonly used term in the UK, while TAVR is more popular in the USA.

Candidature For TAVI Procedure

If your aortic valve is not functioning well and you are not fit for open heart surgery, your doctor might suggest a TAVI procedure. The aortic valve is one of the four main valves in your heart. As you age, calcium may accumulate on the valve, causing it to become harder and thicker. This makes it difficult for the valve to open fully, which means your heart has to work harder to pump blood through the narrowed valve. This condition is called aortic stenosis. After getting TAVI surgery, you can expect your quality of life to improve significantly.

TAVI Procedure At Jaslok Hospital

At Jaslok Hospitals, known as the best TAVI clinic in Mumbai, we want to make sure you feel as comfortable as possible while you're getting better. We have really strict rules to keep you safe, so you can focus on becoming healthy without any worries. Our amazing heart doctors do the TAVI procedure to help you recover quickly and fully, so you can have a better life after your treatment.

The TAVI procedure happens in the operating room. You'll be awake, but your doctor will give you medicine to help you stay relaxed. They'll numb the area where they're working, and you might get a local anesthetic with some medicine to make you sleepy, or you might get a general anesthetic that puts you to sleep completely. Your doctor will talk to you about this before your procedure. They'll put a thin tube with a balloon on the end into an artery in your groin or beneath your collarbone.

The balloon tube goes into your heart and is placed in the opening of the aortic valve. The doctor will gradually inflate the balloon to open the valve. Then, they'll put a new aortic valve in place using a metal mesh tube to hold it there. Depending on the type of valve, the new one might get bigger on its own or with the help of the balloon. The new valve is made to push the old, damaged valve aside.

After that, the balloon is deflated and taken out by your doctor.

Advantages of the TAVI Procedure

The TAVI procedure offers several advantages for patients with aortic valve stenosis. Some of these advantages include:

• Pain Alleviation: TAVI can alleviate or reduce pain, especially in cases where angina is present.
• Improved Breathing: Patients may experience reduced dyspnea and fatigue following the TAVI procedure.
• Enhanced Energy Levels: By improving blood flow and reducing the workload on the heart, TAVI can lead to increased energy levels, making daily activities and physical exercise easier to accomplish.
• Mental Health Improvement: The procedure may result in improved mental health and mood.
• Reduced Risk: TAVI has been associated with decreased mortality and reduced risk of heart failure.

Tips for Patients For Faster TAVI procedure recovery

• Get moving: It's important to start doing light activities like walking around your room or sitting in a chair as soon as you can after the surgery. You can gradually do more, but it's important to rest if you feel tired.
• Avoid strenuous activity: You shouldn’t lift, pull, or push anything heavy for at least 72 hours, or until your doctor says it’s okay. Also, avoid activities that strain your chest or upper arm muscles.
• Be careful walking: For the first 72 hours, be cautious when walking upstairs, and avoid it altogether for the first couple of days if a catheter is placed in your groin.
• Get enough sleep: Rest when you feel tired and try to get enough sleep that will ultimately help you in your fast TAVI procedure recovery.
• Wash the incision: It’s important to clean the area around the surgical cut every day using warm, soapy water.
• Don’t take a bath: It’s best not to take a bath for the first 3 weeks after the surgery.
• Eat well: Make sure to eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, try to reduce the amount of salt in your diet and avoid sugary foods.
• Regular checkups: Attend all the regular check-ups with your TAVI doctor, a local heart specialist, and the heart team.
• Contact your doctor: If you experience any unusual headaches, dizziness, or other worrying symptoms, it’s important to get in touch with your doctor right away.

Related: 10 Powerful Benefits of TAVI for Elderly Heart Patients with Aortic Stenosis

The remarkable advantages associated with TAVI procedure recovery can be attributed to their minimally invasive nature, shorter hospital stays, and the comprehensive care provided by specialized healthcare teams. For patients suffering from aortic stenosis, TAVI not only offers a lifeline but also a pathway to a quicker return to everyday activities and improved quality of life. If you’re considering TAVI for your heart health, the best TAVI clinic in Mumbai at Jaslok Hospital is an exceptional choice. Renowned for its advanced healthcare facilities and research initiatives, often conducted in collaboration with other institutions in India and abroad, Jaslok Hospital prioritizes patient care.