How KIMS Saveera Hospital docs performed TAVR procedure without incision to save elderly patient

Anantapur: Doctors at KIMS Saveera Hospital have successfully performed a Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) on a 75-year-old patient.

The procedure was completed without a single surgical incision, marking the first time this advanced technology has been utilized in the Rayalaseema region.

High-Risk Case Meets Cutting-Edge Tech

The patient, a resident of Anantapur, was admitted with severe chest pain and breathlessness. Diagnostic tests revealed a double complication:

Aortic Stenosis: The heart’s main valve was severely narrowed, choking blood flow.

Complex Anatomy: The aorta (the body’s main artery) was slightly twisted and featured heavy calcium deposits.

Given the patient’s age and the physical complexity of his heart, the medical team determined that traditional open-heart surgery was too risky.

The TAVR Advantage: How it Works

Led by Dr. Moode Sandeep, Senior Consultant Interventional Cardiologist, the team opted for the Meril Myval valve system. Unlike traditional surgery, which requires opening the chest cavity, TAVR is a minimally invasive miracle of modern medicine.

The Access: A thin catheter is inserted through the femoral artery in the leg.

The Delivery: The new valve is guided through the blood vessels directly into the heart.

The Deployment: The valve is positioned within the diseased aortic valve and expanded, immediately restoring normal blood flow.

Rapid Recovery and Results

The success of the procedure was a collaborative effort involving cardiac anesthesia specialists Dr. Avaneesh and Dr. Ravi Shankar, alongside the hospital’s imaging and cath lab teams.

The benefits of this “no-cut” approach were immediately evident:

Minimal Blood Loss: No large incisions or sutures were required.

Speedy Discharge: While open-heart surgery often requires weeks of recovery and intensive ICU support, this patient was discharged in just 48 to 72 hours.

Patient Outcome: The implanted valve is functioning perfectly, providing the 75-year-old a new lease on life.

A Leap for Tier-2 Healthcare

Dr. Moode Sandeep highlighted that this achievement places Anantapur on the map for advanced cardiac interventions. “Typically, aortic valve replacement is a high-risk endeavor for the elderly due to the trauma of open-heart surgery. With TAVR/TAVI, we can offer life-saving care with faster recovery times. This demonstrates that cutting-edge, minimally invasive procedures are no longer restricted to major metros but are now accessible right here in tier-2 cities,” said Dr. Sandeep.