What Is TAVI
(TAVR)?
TAVI (Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation) is a minimally invasive procedure that places a new aortic valve inside the old, narrowed one using a catheter, usually inserted through the femoral artery in the groin. It does not need a chest incision or a heart-lung machine. TAVI and TAVR (Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement) are two names for the same procedure.
The aortic valve is the heart’s main outflow valve: every heartbeat pushes blood through it into the aorta and on to the whole body. When the valve becomes thick, stiff and narrowed, the heart has to work much harder to pump blood through it.
In TAVI, a new tissue valve mounted on a collapsible metal frame is guided to the heart through a blood vessel. Once in position, it is expanded inside the diseased valve, pushing the old leaflets aside and taking over their job immediately — while the heart keeps beating.
At KG Heart Center, TAVI is performed by the interventional cardiology team in the cath lab, with the cardiac surgery team on site as part of the Heart Team.
- No chest incision
- Heart keeps beating
- No heart-lung machine
- Usually 1–2 hours
- Hospital stay 2–4 days
- Treats the aortic valve
What Is Aortic Stenosis
and Why Treat It?
Aortic stenosis is a narrowing of the aortic valve, most often caused by age-related calcium build-up on the valve leaflets. It is one of the most common valve diseases in older adults. Some people are born with a two-leaflet (bicuspid) valve, which can narrow earlier in life.
Medicines can ease symptoms but cannot open a narrowed valve. Once severe aortic stenosis causes symptoms, the outlook without valve replacement becomes poor, which is why international guidelines recommend timely valve replacement — by surgery or TAVI. An echocardiogram (ECHO) confirms the diagnosis and how severe it is.
Who Is a Candidate
for TAVI?
The decision between TAVI and surgical valve replacement is made by the Heart Team after tests. International guidelines (ESC/EACTS 2021 and ACC/AHA 2020) generally favour TAVI for older patients — typically above about 75 years — and for those at higher risk from open-heart surgery, and favour surgery for many younger, lower-risk patients.
If surgery is the better choice, KG Hospital offers it through minimally invasive (MICS) and robotic approaches as well as conventional open surgery.
The Heart Team &
Tests Before TAVI
Every TAVI decision at KG Hospital is made by a multidisciplinary Heart Team — interventional cardiologists, cardiac surgeons and cardiac anaesthesiologists — who review your tests together and agree on the safest option, the access route and the valve type.
The 128-slice cardiac CT scanner is central to planning. It creates a detailed 3D map of the aortic valve, the aorta and the leg arteries, so the team can choose the correct valve size and confirm that the groin route is safe.
TAVI Procedure —
Step by Step
Anaesthesia
Most transfemoral TAVI procedures are done with local anaesthetic and sedation, so you are relaxed and comfortable; some patients need general anaesthesia. A cardiac anaesthesiologist is with you throughout.
Access through the groin
A thin tube is placed in the femoral artery in the groin. If the leg arteries are too narrow, the Heart Team may use another route, such as a small opening near the tip of the heart (transapical).
Guiding the new valve
Under live X-ray and echo guidance, the new valve — folded tightly onto a catheter — is moved up to the heart and positioned precisely within the old valve.
Deploying the valve
The valve is expanded, pressing the old leaflets aside and starting to work immediately. The heart keeps beating; a temporary pacing wire helps control the rhythm for a few seconds.
Checks and recovery
The team checks valve function with imaging, closes the groin access and moves you to the cardiac ICU for monitoring. Most patients sit up the same day and walk within a day or two.
TAVI vs Open Aortic
Valve Replacement
| Factor | TAVI | Open Surgery (SAVR) |
|---|---|---|
| Incision | None — catheter via groin | 8–12 inch chest incision |
| Breastbone cut | No | Yes |
| Heart-lung machine | Not needed | Needed |
| Hospital stay | 2–4 days | 7–10 days |
| Full recovery | Days to 2 weeks | 6–8 weeks |
| Valves treated | Aortic only | All valves |
| Best suited for | Older or higher-risk patients | Younger, low-risk or multi-valve patients |
Figures are typical ranges from KG Hospital and vary with age and overall health. Minimally invasive (MICS) and robotic valve surgery shorten recovery compared with open surgery — see heart valve replacement options.
Recovery, Valve Life
& Risks
Most patients feel their breathing improve within days. You will usually go home in 2–4 days and return to light daily activities within one to two weeks. You will be prescribed blood-thinning medicine for a period, and most TAVI patients do not need long-term anticoagulation unless they have another reason, such as atrial fibrillation.
How long does a TAVI valve last? TAVI valves are tissue valves. Studies following patients for up to about 10 years show durability comparable with surgical tissue valves, and research is ongoing. This is one reason the Heart Team weighs age carefully when choosing between TAVI and surgery.
What are the risks of TAVI?
TAVI is less invasive than surgery, but every heart procedure has risks. These include bleeding or blood-vessel injury at the groin, a need for a permanent pacemaker if the heart’s electrical system is affected, a small leak around the new valve, effects on kidney function from contrast dye, and, rarely, stroke. Your Heart Team explains your personal risk before you decide.
TAVI Cost in Coimbatore
& Insurance
The biggest part of TAVI cost is the valve itself, which varies by type and manufacturer. Other factors are the pre-TAVI CT and tests, the access route, anaesthesia, ICU and hospital stay, and whether a pacemaker is needed. KG Hospital gives a written estimate after your Heart Team evaluation.
KG Hospital is empanelled with 50+ insurers and TPAs and with CMCHIS, PM-JAY, ESI, CGHS and ECHS. Cover for TAVI depends on your policy or scheme, so the insurance desk checks eligibility and sends pre-authorisation, usually within 1–4 hours. Call 0422-4042121, Extn 205. Insurance & cashless details →
Travelling from another city or country? Our International Patient Care team shares a free cost estimate within 48 hours of receiving your reports.
The TAVI Heart Team
at KG Heart Center
KG Heart Center is part of KG Hospital, founded in 1974 by Padma Shri awardee Dr G. Bakthavathsalam, and accredited by NABH.
About this page. Written by the KG Heart Center cardiology team, KG Hospital, Coimbatore. Clinical information is consistent with the international guidelines listed below. Last updated: .
References
- 2021 ESC/EACTS Guidelines for the management of valvular heart disease — European Society of Cardiology / European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery.
- 2020 ACC/AHA Guideline for the Management of Patients With Valvular Heart Disease — American College of Cardiology / American Heart Association.