Chennai’s Medical Milestone: 73-Year-Old Heart Patient Receives Life-Saving TAVR Procedure !

Chennai’s Medical Milestone: 73-Year-Old Heart Patient Receives Life-Saving TAVR Procedure ! 

Chennai, 7th March, 2025: In a significant stride towards raising awareness around structural heart disease, Dr Rajaram Anantharaman, Senior Consultant Cardiologist and Director for Cardiomyopathy & Inherited Heart Disease / Circulatory Support, THV Thearpy, Kauvery Hospital highlighted the transformative impact of the Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) procedure. This minimally invasive technique recently gave a 73-year-old patient suffering from severe aortic valve stenosis and multiple comorbidities, including heart and kidney failure, was given a new lease of life. 

The patient had previously suffered cardiac arrest, complained about persistent leg swelling, extreme fatigue and breathlessness. His deteriorating health, compounded by kidney failure, rendered him unfit for traditional open-heart surgery. However, the TAVR procedure, which involves replacing the aortic valve without invasive surgery, offered a viable solution. Remarkably, the patient was discharged just three days after the procedure and has shown massive improvement in both heart and kidney functions within two months, enabling him to lead a better quality of life.

Explaining about the prevalence of structural heart diseases in India, Dr. Rajaram Anantharaman, Senior Consultant Cardiologist and Director for Cardiomyopathy & Inherited Heart Disease / Circulatory Support, THV Thearpy, Kauvery Hospital, Chennai said “Structural heart diseases, which affect the valves, walls, and chambers of the heart, have long been a challenge in cardiovascular medicine. Traditional treatments involved complex open-heart surgeries that posed significant risks, especially for elderly patients and those with multiple comorbidities. However, TAVR has revolutionized the landscape by providing a less invasive, catheter-based solution with shorter recovery times and improved patient outcomes.” 

Aortic stenosis, a narrowing of the aortic valve, is one of the most common and severe structural issues, particularly in individuals over 65. If left untreated, severe aortic stenosis can reduce survival to less than two years. However, with timely intervention, such as TAVR, patients can achieve near-normal life expectancy.

About a decade ago, advanced treatments such as TAVR were largely confined to metro cities. However, today, thanks to the collaboration between medical device manufacturers and expert proctors, this landscape has transformed significantly, with cities like Chennai now having access to state-of-the-art cardiac procedures such as transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), mitral valve implants, and other structural heart disease treatments. 

As cardiac care continues to evolve, the focus remains on patient-centric treatments and the integration of cutting-edge technologies, paving the way for improved outcomes. With the advent of next-generation valves and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in diagnostics, the future of heart care in the region looks promising.

To further improve outcomes for patients across the country, the SMART trial evaluated different valve types used in TAVR procedures, enhancing treatment strategies, safety, and long-term success. Aortic Stenosis symptom with Dyspnea, Chest pain and syncope and once patient experience, they reach out to heart specialist. To revolutionize cardiac care and improve patient outcomes, India must adopt a comprehensive healthcare approach that integrates advanced diagnostics and innovative treatments like TAVR. 

“Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) is a remarkable advancement in cardiac care, offering a minimally invasive option for patients with aortic valve stenosis. At Kauvery Hospitals, our goal is to bring the latest medical innovations to enhance patient outcomes and improve quality of life. The successful treatment of this 73-year-old patient is a testament to our clinical expertise and commitment to delivering world-class healthcare," said Dr Aravindan Selvaraj, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Kauvery Group of Hospitals. 

Marveltamilnews.com