DR MILES DALBY

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is an alternative to surgical aortic valve replacement (AVR). In TAVI the aortic valve is replaced through a catheter passed to the heart through the groin (femoral artery) just below the collar bone (subclavian artery) or sometimes through the breast bone or chest wall.

The technique is performed whilst the heart is beating and doesn’t require a machine to do the work of the heart and lungs (cadiopulmonary bypass).

When the procedure is performed through the femoral artery it can often be done with local anaesthetic and sedation. For the other approaches general anaesthetic is usually recommended.

In TAVI the native aortic valve is left in place and the new valve is expanded inside the old valve forming a seal between the two, with the new valve inside the TAVI device taking over the function of the old valve.

Dr Dalby and his surgical colleagues will discuss any proposed procedure with you including its attendant risks and benefits. In particular the risks and benefits associated with surgical aortic valve replacement and TAVI will be addressed. This will usually involve further discussion in a multidisciplinary meeting so that you may receive the best advice and reach a mutually agreeable management plan.