• Percutaneous procedures are common for addressing blockages in heart vessels but nowadays used for blockages involving heart valves.

Thanjavur, August 21, 2024:  Meenakshi Hospital, Thanjavur, successfully performed complex TAVI(Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation) on an 83-year-old male to clear a blockage in his heart valve. While percutaneous is commonly used for treating blockages in heart arteries, its application for heart valve obstructions marks a significant advancement.

Mr. G. Ramanathan, the patient, is now the third individual in Delta Region to benefit from this Angioplasty like procedure. He was diagnosed with a severe heart valve blockage, and although valve replacement surgery is typically the standard treatment, the Cardiology team chose TAVI due to his advanced age. TAVI procedure requires meticulous planning, highly skilled team and advanced technology. MHT is the First and Only hospital in Delta region successfully completed this procedure for the third time.

An expert Cardiology team led by Dr.B.Kesavamoorthy, Senior Consultant, Cardiology at Meenakshi Hospital, Thanjavur, successfully carried out this unique procedure. Notably, there was no need to stop the heart or place the patient on artificial ventilation, and the entire procedure was completed without general anesthesia. The patient was back in the general ward within two hours of the one-hour procedure.

Commenting about the benefits of the procedure, Dr. Kesavamoorthy said that heart valve issues can affect approximately one percent of individuals over 70 years of age. “In a healthy adult, the heart valve opens and closes around 3.5 crore times a year. In an 80year old man it would have worked 300 crore times due to wear and tear. The valves weaken, and the openings narrow, leading to blockages,” he explained. While heart valve replacement has traditionally been the go-to treatment for such patients, the use of TAVI is gaining popularity due to its minimally invasive nature and quick recovery time. “Compared to heart valve replacement surgery, the risks associated with this novel procedure are significantly lower,” he added.

TAVI procedure to clear blockages in heart valves can be a boon for senior citizens, offering a more comfortable alternative to valve replacement surgery.

Dr.Srinivasan, Senior Consultant- Cardiology, Dr.Sabarikrishnan, Consultant- Cardiology,  Dr. Praveen, Deputy Medical Superintendent and Dr.Balamurugan,  GM Operations and Mr. Sivakumar, GM Marketing also participated during the press meet.