can you TAVI your original aortic valve?

[Robfromwales]

I have mild regurgitation with no stenosis but my good friend has severe regurgitation which is why I ask the question above. I think the answer maybe no? Obviously I am taking about a replacement tissue valve.

[Sootyismycat]

Dear Rob

I got an Edwards Resilia tissue valve April 2000. Aged 71. Some time later I heard that Edwards resilia now has the facility to take a replacement valve by TAVi . I am pretty sure mine will not take a TAVi. And hope that mine will see me out.

Progress in cardiology is fast. I note that there is now research for people who have had a tissue valve for twenty years.

[Robfromwales in reply to Sootyismycat]

Hi - did you get the Edwards valve through TAVI or sternectomy?

[Robfromwales in reply to Robfromwales]

Why I ask is my query is whether one’s original aortic valve can be repaired by TAVi or has it got to be sternectonomy

[Sootyismycat in reply to Robfromwales]

OHS . I had a rather privileged option in as much as I had advice from one surgeon who did OHS and one that did TAVi. But in April 2020 there were only a very few cardiology hospitals open. Nearly all were closed for covid.

I might add that the valve has been trouble free. I don’t even know it’s there. And my local hospital, who did not do the op, have a vastly improved annual check. They now have nurse specialists to check the annual tests and give me the results in minutes. The consultants are on site but only appear if something is very wrong.

[Robfromwales]

anyone know the answer?

[Cat04]

Not certain but I think the aortic valve is normally replaced (by TAVI or OHS) not repaired.

[Robfromwales]

thanks cat04. The 64000 dollar question is can one’s original aortic valve be TAVI? know it can be replaced by OHS and know that say a replacement tissue valve can be TAVI but not sure about ones original valve.

[Cat04 in reply to Robfromwales]

As I understand it - yes, you can have a replacement of your natural aortic valve by TAVI but not an aortic valve repair.

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

[Robfromwales]

sorry Cat - just seen your earlier post and will look at that BHF link now

[Robfromwales]

from my reading the answer is yes but I guess there are lots of factors that have to be assessed with the surgeon as to the best treatment plan.

[Robfromwales]

agree Cat

[Cat04 in reply to Robfromwales]

Also

nhs.uk/conditions/aortic-va...

[Cat04]

Just looked through some of your old posts & see you have a LAA clip (Atriclip). I had one fitted earlier this year 😊 when my BAV was replaced by OHS plus pvi ablation.

[Robfromwales]

hi cat. My main problem was a 5.2mm thoracic aortic aneurysm which with a BAV doubled the normal risk. So had that repaired electively and had the LAA done at the same time. The surgeon and I had discussed the valve replacement but the BAV was found to have excellent leaflet mobility with no stenosis and only mild leakage. So surgical opinion ( with me on the operating table ) was better to Retain my existing valve and see how we fair. I was really asking for a good friend who had severe leakage.

[cappachina]

Hi Ihad a Tavi aortic valve put in in April I New Edwards Respira one if it wears out I the future they will replace it with another one via TAVI again The new valves are lasting much longer now up to 20 years so at 75 I probably won't need one but it's nice to know that if I do it can be done the same way again

[cappachina]

And the TAVI replaces the valve as if it has thickened and blood is not pumping round your body properly you need a new valve

[Robfromwales]

thanks cappachina. And to confirm that this replaced your natural valve ( ie the one you were born with)? Also was open heart surgery not considered or was it not possible for any other reason? Many thanks