How to Prepare for Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement Surgery?
Before the TAVR procedure, the patient may have to adjust their medication and habits like eating or drinking water according to the needs of the treatment. The treatment team will generally discuss these factors with the patient. Some factors that require consideration are:
Medication: If the patient is on regular medication, he/she should discuss with the doctor whether they can be taken before the procedure.
Ingestion: The patient may have to avoid eating or drinking before the procedure.
Allergies: The patient should discuss their allergies, if any, with the doctor before the procedure. This includes any reactions to medicines.
What happens during TAVR Surgery?
The following are TAVR procedure steps:
Monitoring the heart: A team of interventional cardiologists, imaging specialists, cardiac anesthesiologists, cardiac surgeons, and other specialists will monitor the patient’s heart function during the procedure.
Incision to access the heart: The heart is accessed through a point in the leg or chest.
Insertion of catheter: A catheter (hollow tube) is inserted through the access point and guided to the heart via blood vessels.
Guiding the catheter: Advanced imaging techniques are used to carefully guide and position the tube at the aortic valve.
Positioning the valve: A balloon is inflated to press the valve into place. Some valves may not require a balloon to settle into place.
Precautions after TAVR Surgery
Typically, patients spend a night in the ICU after the procedure. Generally, they are discharged within 2-5 days. Some precautions to be followed afterward are:
Monitoring for heart failure:
Patients with aortic stenosis may develop heart failure over time. Thus, if they notice any of the symptoms below, they should consult their doctor:
- Cough or congestion
- Swelling in the legs
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Palpitations
Care for procedure site:
The procedure site is susceptible to infections if not maintained hygienically. Therefore, the patient should:
- Inspect the site every day after washing their hands.
- Not soak, or swim for 2 weeks after the procedure so as to keep the site dry. It can be washed with soap and water while showering.
- Not leave the dressing on the site for more than 24 hours.
- Avoid applying lotions or ointments to the procedure site.
Blood-thinning medications may be required after the procedure to prevent blood clots.
The patient is at a higher risk of infection after TAVR, thus the doctor may prescribe medicines accordingly.
Why choose Yashoda Hospitals for Tavr Surgery?
Yashoda Hospitals is a leading provider of healthcare in India, with three decades of experience to its credit. Our team of leading specialists consists of cardiac surgeons, cardiac anesthesiologists, cardiac radiologists, and interventional cardiologists who evaluate and treat each patient jointly. Their expertise is complemented with the latest technology and clinical excellence to deliver the best cardiac care.
- Holistic care: Each case is evaluated separately to deliver personalized treatment that would best suit the patient’s needs.
- Multidisciplinary team: A multidisciplinary team of specialists is present during each procedure to manage every minute detail of the procedure.
- Expertise in healthcare: With three decades of experience in delivering healthcare, our cardiologists have extensive experience in performing TAVR.
- Advanced technology: We complement the expertise of our cardiologists with the latest imaging technologies and equipment. Better planning leads to better outcomes.