Discharged after 2 days of percutaneous heart valve replacement

After 2 days of percutaneous heart valve replacement, the 68-year-old patient was discharged from the hospital in good health, while the traditional method takes at least 2 weeks to recover.

3 months ago, Ms. Nguyen Thi Van (Gia Lam, Hanoi ) had symptoms of shortness of breath and frequent fatigue when exerting herself. At Tam Anh General Hospital, Hanoi, doctors discovered a heart murmur in the patient, diagnosing severe aortic valve stenosis requiring early intervention.

On June 13, Dr. Nguyen Duc Hung - Deputy Head of Cardiology Department, Tam Anh General Hospital, Hanoi, said that patient Van had a successful transcutaneous aortic valve replacement. During her recent follow-up visit, she said that the previous uncomfortable symptoms gradually decreased and disappeared, the new heart valve was stable, and her health recovered well.

Doctor prepares catheter before transcutaneous aortic valve replacement. Photo: Tam Anh Hospital — Doctor prepares catheter before transcutaneous aortic valve replacement. Photo: *Tam Anh Hospital*

Dr. Hung emphasized that the technique of transcutaneous aortic valve replacement is minimally invasive, but the preparation stage must be thorough to evaluate the entire case. Before the intervention, the patient will have a CT scan of the blood vessels and heart chambers to select the valve size. Ms. Van's aortic valve is heavily calcified, so the new valve needs to press the entire valve leaflet tightly against the vessel wall for optimal results without complications.

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (or transcatheter aortic valve replacement - TAVI) is a minimally invasive technique with many advantages. This is considered an advanced method in aortic valve replacement treatment.

Under observation through the Artis Pheno angiography robot system in the modern hybrid intervention room, the blood vessels will be clearly visible thanks to background subtraction technology, helping the doctor identify and move the valve to the correct position. The artificial valve is pushed out of the catheter and the damaged heart valve is replaced.

The background subtraction angiography system helps doctors perform precise interventions for optimal results. Photo: Tam Anh Hospital — The background subtraction angiography system helps doctors perform precise interventions for optimal results. Photo: *Tam Anh Hospital*

Dr. Hung analyzed that with the open heart surgery method, the sternum must be sawed, which will affect breathing, leave scars, and require longer hospital stays and recovery. In particular, patients after open valve replacement surgery must take anticoagulants and have a strict diet.

Meanwhile, with the transcutaneous aortic valve replacement technique, the patient does not need to saw the sternum, does not need to run an artificial heart-lung machine, does not need general anesthesia, so the risk of complications is minimized. The intervention is performed through a catheter, so the patient loses less blood, has less pain, the hospital stay is only 2-3 days, and recovers quickly.

After transcutaneous aortic valve replacement, patients need to maintain oral and physical hygiene to avoid valve infection. Patients should continue their normal activities and diet without limiting physical activity.

Thanh Ba

* The patient's name has been changed.

At 8:00 p.m. today (June 13), Tam Anh General Hospital System organized an online consultation program with the topic: "Vascular intervention and heart valve disease" with the participation of cardiovascular experts to answer questions about heart valve disease and vascular diseases, advanced methods in diagnosis and treatment today.

The program is broadcast live on the Tam Anh General Hospital fanpage and rebroadcast on the Vnexpress electronic newspaper fanpage. Readers can ask questions here for advice.

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