Mangaluru: KMC Hospital at Ambedkar Circle marked a significant medical milestone on Thursday by successfully performing its first transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) procedure. The groundbreaking surgery was led by Dr. Padmanabh Kamath, a senior interventional cardiologist, alongside a dedicated team of cardiologists. TAVI is a cutting-edge procedure designed to relieve the obstruction of a major heart valve caused by aortic stenosis, a common condition in patients over 70 that leads to recurrent chest pain and dizziness.
Traditionally, aortic valve replacement required open-heart surgery. However, TAVI offers a minimally invasive alternative, enabling valve replacement through a small incision in the groin. The team performed the procedure on a 73-year-old patient, who experienced a rapid recovery. The patient was expected to walk the following day and be discharged on the third day post-surgery.
“This procedure represents a major advancement in our cardiac care capabilities, and offers new hope for patients suffering from aortic stenosis,” said Dr. Kamath. Saghir Siddiqui, regional chief operating officer of KMC Hospital, added, “TAVI is a complex procedure requiring a collaborative team effort.”