“Dr. Gurbhej Singh: TAVR procedure makes heart surgery safer, less painful – with faster recovery.”
Ludhiana Punjabi Headline Harminder Singh Kitty ) – Hod and Senior Consultant of Cardiology at Christian Medical College (CMC) Ludhiana, Dr. Gurbhej Singh (MD, DM, Cardiology), shared important insights about one of the most serious heart conditions – Aortic Valve Stenosis.
He explained that the human heart has four valves, the most important being the aortic valve. When this valve becomes narrowed and does not open properly, the flow of blood from the heart to the body is reduced or blocked. This condition is called Aortic Valve Stenosis.
Earlier, treatment required open-heart surgery, where the chest was cut open, the heart exposed, and the damaged valve replaced with a new one. This procedure involved long hospital stays, and recovery took 30 to 45 days with significant physical strain.
However, medical science has now advanced with a breakthrough procedure called TAVR (Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement) or TAVI (Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation). With this new method, the valve can be replaced without opening the heart.
Dr. Gurbhej Singh say explained:
👉 The procedure is performed through a small incision.
👉 The new valve is implanted inside the old one.
👉 It is especially beneficial for elderly patients for whom open-heart surgery carries high risks.
👉 Patients experience less pain, shorter hospital stays, and faster recovery.
The procedure can be performed in two ways:
1. Transfemoral Approach – through the femoral artery in the leg.
2. Transapical Approach – through a small incision in the chest via the left ventricle.
Dr. Gurbhej Singh say highlighted that the TAVR procedure has emerged as a new ray of hope for patients with severe aortic stenosis, as it reduces surgical risks and significantly improves the quality of life.
