Transcutaneous Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI)

The usual aortic valve disease treated is called aortic stenosis – where the valve is severely obstructed by progressive calcification. When the obstruction becomes severe, patients develop shortness of breath, chest pain on exertion (angina) or blackouts. In some cases, a previously surgically implanted valve which has degenerated can be treated with TAVI.

Only selected patients are suitable for TAVI. Patients with severe arterial blockages, severe heart failure and coronary disease or other severe illnesses may not be suitable. The size of these implantable valves is currently limited, and patients with very large or small aortic roots will not be suitable.

How is it done?

The Corevalve may be implanted from the artery in the leg, or where that artery is too diseased, from the artery in the shoulder.

The Edwards valve may be implanted from the artery in the leg, or where that artery is too diseased, from an incision through the left chest and into a hole in the beating heart. This is performed in association with a cardiac surgeon.

A sausage-shaped balloon is initially used to open the diseased valve, whilst the heart rhythm is accelerated with a temporary pacemaker. After this the new valve is implanted under X Ray and sometimes echocardiography imaging.
This causes immediate relief of the obstruction of blood flowing through the heart. Following this the heart tubes are all removed.

Herewith are links to videos describing Corevalve Implantation.

http://www.mercyangiography.co.nz/ProcedureVideos/CoreValveProsthesis.aspx

http://www.mercyangiography.co.nz/ProcedureVideos/CoreValve.aspx

Benefits

The relief of the obstruction of blood flow leads to complete or partial relief of the symptoms of shortness of breath, chest pain or blackouts, which is usually apparent immediately.