TAVI procedure

[Vms49]

has anyone had Tavi procedure instead of open heart . I’m being seen by both teams at the hospital and it sounds a lot less invasive

[10gingercats]

If your team do a Tavi and then run into trouble while operating they will go into open heart surgery mode immediately......or that is what I have been told.If you are young that is probably not a problem but if you are elderly it may not be so good and you need to be aware of this before embarking upon the Tavi.

[Vms49 in reply to 10gingercats]

Thanks

[Taviterry in reply to Vms49]

I had a TAVI last July and the next day comfortably (but cautiously) walked for a total of 70 minutes in half-a-dozen stages around the ward, then the hospital. It's quite common to be discharged after one night, though I was kept in for another day just to check that I didn't need a pacemaker. The website of the Trust or hospital where you're likely to have the op will have a fact sheet on what is entailed.

Yes, it's far less invasive than open heart surgery and all I had was a tiny cut on one side of the groin where the new valve was inserted into a vein and a rather alarming-looking blue-black stain on the other side where tracker dye had been bumped in. (This took a couple of weeks to disappear.) Three weeks afterwards (and rather sooner than the info sheet had led me to believe) the surgeon gave me the go-ahead to resume a near-normal life, including mowing the lawn. (Just as well: the odd-job man who was meant to mow it twice didn't bother to turn up on the second occasion).

You aren't meant to drive for a month or so afterwards, and you will require several types of pills.

And it's recommended that you have someone at home for the first few days, just to keep an eye on you, not to provide care.

I must have checked out a dozen or so info sheets and inevitably their tone and advice varied a bit.

[Vms49 in reply to Taviterry]

Tavi sounds a much better option I am also diabetic and this can apparently cause problems in healing from open heart so I am def consider it . I am under both teams and have asked them which is best and as the risks are less with Tavi I think I might opt for it I would prefer neither but that’s not an option lol

[Beanlover in reply to Taviterry]

My husband has what has been described as a leaky aortic valve, and is due to see a Cardiologist to discuss open heart surgery. I'm not sure I know the difference between types of valve problems.Is it likely that the TAVI would be suitable for a leaky valve.

[Tlyna]

I am 71 and had the procedure done on January 19. I was in the surgical suite for just over an hour and walking that night then home the next afternoon. I felt better than I had in 2 years and had a lot more energy and was breathing easier. I also had no pain, swelling or bleeding post op which kind of surprised me. I had to have someone drive me home and stay with me for a couple of days just in case some complications showed up but after that I was able to do things for myself and drive again. I couldn't lift more than a couple of pounds for about two weeks but am having no problems at all since.

[Vms49 in reply to Tlyna]

Wow quick recovery thanks

[Tlyna in reply to Vms49]

I was a surprise to me and also how much easier breathing was the moment I woke up from the sedation. I hope your procedure goes as well for you. Oh, forgot to mention that both of my parents had the same heart valve problem but this was years ago before they had this procedure so they had the open heart version. Dad came through without a hitch and he lived a bit over 20 years beyond but then got stupid and refused to take the Lasix because it inconvenienced him (hated peeing a lot) so ended up dying of congestive heart failure although the valve was still good. He listened to my stepmother who talked him into going to a small hospital near home that didn't have a cardiac unit. Mom had problems but she had been a very heavy smoker right up to the morning she entered the hospital for her heart surgery. Still she survived and is still living 30+ years later although she also has a bad case of emphysema now and has oxygen 24/7

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

Mick Jagger had a successful TAVI during the early lockdowns aged 76!

[Vms49 in reply to MichaelJH]

👍

[aardvark68]

A good friend of mine had her TAVI aged 91 - and says she feels 20 years younger now!

[Vms49 in reply to aardvark68]

That’s good to know thanks

[Gladiator1951]

If you haven't already, I would ask alot of questions about the expected life span of the TAVI valve versus SAVR (surgical aortic valve replacement) valve options, and how the various options fit a strategy based on your age.

Good luck!

[Vms49 in reply to Gladiator1951]

Good advice thanks

[TAVIshock]

Tavishock is A LOT less invasive than open heart surgery. At age 89 I was allowed home on the day after TAVI . Unfortunately there are very rare ( 1%) complications. I was unlucky, and a blood clot on the new valve led to a serious episode and a very long recovery.

Nevertheless, I woul far rather have a TAVI than open heart - which , statistically, has higher risks. Hope this helps, if you would like more information do feel free to ask.

Tavishock

[Vms49 in reply to TAVIshock]

Thanks I have a few things I need to ask about with the Tavi team . I have had loads of tests and my only heart problem is aortic valve . I don’t need bypass so I’m feeling less intrusive sounds much better option .

[Breesha]

my husband had the Tavi , in hospital overnight , then walked to transport , came home, carried on as normal , we are retired. So nothing strenuous, but you would not have know it was any different to a visit to the dentist ..amazing team, Liverpool Heart Hospital .

[Vms49 in reply to Breesha]

Mann don’t like dentists lol but he sounds to have coped well with the Tavi

[cappachina]

I had a TAVI last year aged76 only problem I had was the valve Much less invasive just sedation not anaesthetic home in 2 days Only hiccup was at 6 weeks when my blood pressure jumping around making me black out Hospital said it was a good sign as it meant the valve was working so well blood pressure was trying to find where it should be Stopped blood pressure tablets for 3 weeks while it decided then restated them and I have been fine since

[Vms49 in reply to cappachina]

Thanks everyone seems to have positives to say about Tavi .

[Astronomyrules]

Hi Vms49, I had a TAVI aged 69. Using my groin as an entry point wasn't an option so they performed key hole surgery entering between the ribs. Somewhat longer recovery than via groin, 4 days in hospital, felt like I had a broken rib for about 10 days, but still far faster and easier than OHS, which I'd experienced about 15 years before. I was told that if I outlived the valve's 15 - 25 year life they'd just use the same procedure to pop a new one inside the old. No problems at all since the op. It is true that if unexpected complications arise they would switch to OHS, but I believe these events are rare. Additionally,I think I was told that the mortality risks between the two, OHS vs TAVI, are in most cases about the same level. I hope this helps and that you have a list of questions to be answered by both teams before you make up your mind. Good luck.🍀

[Vms49 in reply to Astronomyrules]

Thanks trying to gather as much info as possible before speaking to the team

[Taviterry]

Whether one has a TAVI or open-heart surgery is assessed by a team (four in my case), who determine the patient's suitability for one or another depending on frailty and age. I don't think that "going private" makes any difference - that is, a not-so-old person can't opt for a TAVI for the sake of a quick recovery and there's the shorter "life" of a TAVI valve to be considered.

I do wonder whether the cost of a TAVI might also be a factor. The specialist consultant visiting my NHS hospital quoted £75,000 to do the op privately (and I think that he would still do it in a NHS hospital because of the need for back-up facilities) and a neighbour's private insurance paid out £60,000 for his. I gather that the high price is due to the cost of the new valve.

[Vms49 in reply to Taviterry]

Sorry but Sometimes you do get a choice I have been assessed by both teams and at 74 years of age I can have open heart but it carries more risks so have been told I can opt for Tavi

[Taviterry in reply to Vms49]

I don't want to be tactless 🙂 but I did say "not so old"! Quite a few people in their seventies would be eligible but I wonder if the option would be offered to anyone younger!