Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation in India - Surgery Cost, Procedure & Best Doctors

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation, or TAVI, is a minimally invasive procedure to replace defective or malfunctioning. It is a standard procedure that helps treat valve defects, and people worldwide, including in African countries such as Tanzania, Ghana, Ethiopia and Kenya, visit India for cost-effective and quality TAVI treatment. This is primarily because of the low-cost TAVI procedure. Also, when you see India, you can access some of the world-renowned orthopaedic surgeons, cutting-edge infrastructure, advanced equipment, and skilled medical staff to ensure accuracy, efficiency, and the highest safety standards.

So, if you are searching for a high-quality yet affordable Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement procedure, India can be your ideal option. Below on this page, we will discuss some of the most essential details of the TAVI procedure in India, including reasons to perform TAVI, advantages, procedure, cost, and more.

Reasons to perform Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement, or TVAR, is an excellent alternative to open heart surgery to replace the defective aortic valve of the heart. Such a heart condition is also known as aortic valve stenosis, where the heart's aortic valve thickens and becomes stiff and narrow. Due to this, the valve fails to open correctly, resulting in a valve leading to reduced blood flow in the body. TAVR or TAVI is a popular alternative to open aortic valve replacement procedure that most skilled doctors recommend to their patients. Also, hospital stays in transcatheter aortic valve implantation cases are shorter than in open procedures. You may get recommended for a TAVI or transcatheter aortic valve implantation if you have any of the below-mentioned indications-

• A biological aortic valve tissue that does not work correctly as it was meant to do.
• Aortic stenosis symptoms are too severe, resulting in chest pain and shortness of breath.
• Any other health condition that makes it impossible to opt for an open heart valve replacement surgery, such as kidney disease or lung infection.

Advantages of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation is a minimally invasive procedure that helps to pass a human-made aortic valve through a catheter to replace the defective aortic valve in the heart. It is an advanced method of treating aortic valve stenosis. TAVR procedure has more than one benefit to offer, and below we will discuss them in detail-

• TAVR heart procedure helps to reduce chest pain and stiffness caused by aortic valve stenosis. Aortic valve stenosis is when the aortic valve becomes narrow, stiff, and thick. As a result, the valve cannot open correctly, resulting in reduced blood flow. 
• Being more active. Heart aortic stenosis can also impact your regular life and activities. So, when you replace your defective aortic valve with an artificial one, you can become more active.
• Promote normal breathing. Performing TAVR surgery promotes healthy or normal breathing. Valve stenosis to chest pain, heaviness and stiffness.
• Lastly, a transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement can also help in treating hypertension and anxiety. People with blocked aortic valves cause stress on the heart. So, when you do a TAVR valve replacement, it enables you to feel less anxious.
• Faster recovery. Performing TAVR instead of open valve replacement also ensures faster and safer recovery. This procedure uses microincisions to insert the catheter inside the body and pass the artificial valve.
• Lesser pain. The transcatheter aortic valve replacement procedure is less painful than open heart valve replacement surgery. In this procedure, the surgeon makes a smaller incision and performs the procedure under general anaesthesia to minimise the pain and discomfort associated with surgical procedures.
• Higher success rate. The TAVR heart procedure is minimally invasive. As a result, it reduces the risk of infection and bleeding and ensures faster and safer recovery.

Different Types of TAVR Valves

TAVR, or Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement, uses a catheter to pass the artificial heart valve through a small incision. The artificial valve or TAVR valve can replace the original valve. These TAVR valve or TAVR valve devices can be distinguished into different types. So, if you are going to get a TAVR treatment, you must learn about the different kinds of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation valves. Below, we will discuss the different kinds of TAVR valves briefly for your knowledge-

1. Self-expandable TAVR valve

Self-expandable TAVR valves are a common type of TAVR valve. These TAVR valve types do not have balloons and expand independently. A self-expandable TAVR valve can replace the original aortic valve to reduce symptoms associated with aortic valve stenosis. There are three primary self-expandable TAVR valve manufacturers in India-

• Portico valve
• Hydra valve
• Medtronic

2. Balloon expandable valve

Balloon expandable valves are a more traditional type that was launched before the self-expandable TAVR valves. As the name suggests, these valves contain an inflatable balloon that can be expanded once the catheter places the valve in the correct location. There are two types of balloon-expandable valves exist-

• Edwards valve
• MyVal

Procedure Of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation

The transcatheter aortic valve replacement procedure is minimally invasive and helps treat aortic valve stenosis without major surgery, such as open heart TAVR valve replacement. It also has several benefits. So, before you opt for a few Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantations, you must learn about the primary procedure. You can consult with your TAVR surgeon to get the details, and below we will discuss the general method of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement procedure-

• The procedure is performed under general anaesthesia to make you feel less pain during the procedure. Once the anaesthesia begins to show effect, your surgeon will make a small incision on the decided location (chest or groin) to enter the catheter with an artificial valve.
• The surgeon uses an X-ray or other imaging tools to guide the catheter into the heart aortic valve. 
• Once the catheter reaches the right location, it puts and presses the tip balloon to pass the artificial aortic valve in place of the original aortic valve, which is not working correctly.

Best TAVR Surgery Doctors in India

1. Dr. T S Kler

2. Dr. Ashok Seth

3. Dr. Naresh Trehan

4. Dr. Kewal Krishan

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation Recovery Time

The recovery time for transcatheter aortic valve replacement is different for each case. It depends on the individual case and one's overall health. For most people, the initial recovery period after the surgery is 2-3 weeks, and complete healing can take 6-10 weeks. A patient should avoid strenuous activities before complete healing after the procedure. One should also make healthy lifestyle changes for faster recovery. In some complex cases, the recovery time can be longer than usual. Consult with your healthcare provider for a more personalised recovery plan.

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation Cost in India

TAVR procedure costs in India can vary depending on several factors, such as hospital charges, location of the hospital, surgeon's fees, and other medical expenses. India offers world-class TAVR treatment at affordable charges. Generally, TAVR surgery costs in India can range from USD 18,000 to USD 30,000. It is best to consult with your healthcare provider for an accurate cost estimation for the procedure. Also, choose a healthcare provider offering a transparent charge breakdown for the procedure.

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation Insurance Coverage

It depends on your health insurance type and its terms and conditions. Most policies cover TAVR surgery when it is evaluated as a medical necessity. Also, the coverage can vary from one policy to another. Some policies offer full coverage, while others provide partial coverage for the procedure. You should consult with your healthcare provider and insurance provider to learn more about the insurance coverage for your TAVR valve replacement procedure.

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation Surgery FAQs