Transcatheter Aortic Valve Insertion (TAVI)

Patients with severe AS may experience shortness of breath on exertion, chest pain, dizziness or blackouts.

There are two common routes of new valve insertion, none are as invasive as open heart surgery:

1. Transfemoral - through the femoral artery, the main artery in your groin which leads back to the heart (most common access used)

2. Transapical - through a small cut on the left side of your chest to get to the apex (tip) of your heart.

The ‘TAVI team’, including your cardiologist, cardiac surgeon and anaesthetist will review your medical condition and screening tests to decide the most appropriate treatment and access route for you. Screening tests will include physical examination and the following non-invasive tests - electrical heart trace (ECG), blood tests, lung function tests, transthoracic echocardiogram (Ultrasound scan) and CT scan of your aorta. You may also require transoesophageal echocardiogram (TOE) if clearer pictures are needed and coroanry angiogram if the CT scan. TAVI involves inserting a new artificial heart valve inside the old tight valve using a balloon catheter. The valve is made up of a metal frame (stent) and the outer lining (pericardium) of a cow’s or pig's heart. The procedure is usually carried out via the leg (transfemoral TAVI) and is carried out under local anaesthetic. Sedation can be given during the procedure if required.