Arneja heart and Multispecialty Hospital (AHI), Nagpur marked a major milestone recently, as successful TAVR (transcatheter aortic valve replacement) procedure was completed in a 92 years old gentleman. Dr. Jaspal Arneja, Director and Senior Interventional Cardiologist AHI led the team to complete the landmark procedure. The TAVR procedure is a non-surgical alternative for patients with severe aortic stenosis who are ineligible for open-heart surgery.
This was a milestone procedure at the center. Patient was 92 years old gentlemen whose son is a doctor. The patient had been diagnosed with severe aortic stenosis in which the main door of heart is choked and heart is not allowed to pump blood outside to other organs leading to severe debility. He was diagnosed with this condition since last 6-8 years and has been suffering day in and out due to the same. Even while going to washroom where he has to walk few meters he used to get severe breathlessness and uneasiness. He had recurrent hospital admission with heart failure and has taken consultations from multiple doctors. With no hopes he approached AHI where he was evaluated in detail and was found to be suitable for TAVR procedure. Procedure was performed on 12th April and patient was discharged in absolutely normal condition in 2 days. Today he came to follow up with absolutely no symptoms and with full mobility and has been roaming in the city on his 2 wheeler.
“As a Cardiologist, it is tricky situation to touch such an old patient who has been rejected from so many centers. But when we met the patient, his willingness to survive longer and his severe discomfort made us to go forward with the procedure. It’s indeed gratifying to be able to help so many patients who previously had a grim outlook. Because TAVR does not require surgery, it is an alternative for otherwise high-risk patients,” Dr. Arneja says. “Helping the seriously ill improves their health and quality of life is our goal; TAVR allows us to offer hope to so many more.”
Aortic stenosis is the most prevalent heart valve disease and the third most common cardiovascular condition after coronary artery disease and hypertension. It affects significant number of old people in the old age and maximum percentage of these patients suffer from severe symptomatic aortic stenosis, often developing debilitating symptoms that can restrict normal, day-to-day activities, such as walking short distances or climbing stairs.
The disease is age-related and caused by a buildup of calcium deposits that cause the valve to narrow and stiffen. The heart weakens as it works harder to pump blood out to the body. Patients may experience fainting, chest pain, heart failure, irregular heart rhythms and cardiac arrest. Without treatment, severe symptomatic aortic stenosis is life-threatening and most patients will not survive two years.
“As the first site in the central India to offer the TAVR procedure, our team at AHI has performed 3rd such procedure in short span of 6 months and have helped patients extend and improve their lives. In medicine, experience improves outcomes, and the team at the AHI is one of the most experienced in central Indian,” says Dr. Jaspal Arneja
Team of doctors with Dr. Arneja included Cardiologist Dr. Anmol Sonuwane from Jupitor, Mumbai, Cardiologists from AHI team Dr. Vivek Mandurke and Dr. Amar Amale, Cardiac Anesthetist Dr. Abhishek Wadaskar and nursing, technician and research team from AHI.
