TAVI, first time in Bangladesh

TAVI can be a lifesaver for many heart disease patients especially the elderly ones

An aortic valve replacement without opening the heart for the first time in the country has been successfully accomplished. According to a report in this newspaper on Monday, United Hospital Cardiac Centre has conducted the first ever Trans-catheter Aortic Valve Implant (TAVI) procedure which is a minimally invasive non-surgical procedure done with local anesthesia under mild sedation. It involves insertion of a specially-designed valve through the artery of the groin and implanting the valve at the location of the diseased aortic valve was conducted. A team including Chief Cardiologist Dr Momenuzzaman and Chief Cardiac Surgeon Dr Jahangir Kabir led to a successful TAVI procedure on July 25. In TAVI procedure a small hole, like one inch, needs to make on thigh and it takes only an hour. As it was for the first time here, the procedure cost around Taka 35 lakh but the cost would be reduced gradually. In Singapore, it costs minimum Tk 1.50 crore.

TAVI is a life-saver in patients with prohibitive risk for open heart surgery and is very effective in relieving the obstruction caused by narrowed heart valve. Typically, older patients cannot have conventional valve replacement surgery due to high risk. However this minimally invasive procedure can repair the narrowed aortic valve without a major surgery. In many countries TAVI has indeed been a boon to many elderly patients even over the age of 75 and has given them a second lease of life.

The number of cardiac patients is increasing rapidly in the country. National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh sources said the number of cardiac patients has gone up from 3.5 million to around 17 million in the country within a decade, which is very alarming.

By taking preventive measures many people can remain free from cardiac diseases. Taking physical exercise on a regular basis, intake of health-friendly diets, avoiding fatty food items, refraining from smoking, keeping diabetes and blood pressure under control and remaining stress free can protect a person from heart diseases.

Treatment of cardiac diseases has advanced a lot in the country. Apart from the government-run heart hospitals many privately-run hospitals have sprung up in the country in recent times. Even complicated bypass surgeries and angioplasties are being done almost everyday in different hospitals in the capital city. Hundreds of people are undergoing treatment in those hospitals. But those are based in the capital city. Hospitals with adequate facilities for the treatment of heart patients should be set up at divisional and district towns. If it is done, people living in remote villages will be highly benefited. Creation of mass awareness is also needed for prevention of heart-related ailments.

TAVI, first time in Bangladesh

TAVI can be a lifesaver for many heart disease patients especially the elderly ones

An aortic valve replacement without opening the heart for the first time in the country has been successfully accomplished. According to a report in this newspaper on Monday, United Hospital Cardiac Centre has conducted the first ever Trans-catheter Aortic Valve Implant (TAVI) procedure which is a minimally invasive non-surgical procedure done with local anesthesia under mild sedation. It involves insertion of a specially-designed valve through the artery of the groin and implanting the valve at the location of the diseased aortic valve was conducted. A team including Chief Cardiologist Dr Momenuzzaman and Chief Cardiac Surgeon Dr Jahangir Kabir led to a successful TAVI procedure on July 25. In TAVI procedure a small hole, like one inch, needs to make on thigh and it takes only an hour. As it was for the first time here, the procedure cost around Taka 35 lakh but the cost would be reduced gradually. In Singapore, it costs minimum Tk 1.50 crore. TAVI is a life-saver in patients with prohibitive risk for open heart surgery and is very effective in relieving the obstruction caused by narrowed heart valve. Typically, older patients cannot have conventional valve replacement surgery due to high risk. However this minimally invasive procedure can repair the narrowed aortic valve without a major surgery. In many countries TAVI has indeed been a boon to many elderly patients even over the age of 75 and has given them a second lease of life. The number of cardiac patients is increasing rapidly in the country. National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh sources said the number of cardiac patients has gone up from 3.5 million to around 17 million in the country within a decade, which is very alarming. By taking preventive measures many people can remain free from cardiac diseases. Taking physical exercise on a regular basis, intake of health-friendly diets, avoiding fatty food items, refraining from smoking, keeping diabetes and blood pressure under control and remaining stress free can protect a person from heart diseases. Treatment of cardiac diseases has advanced a lot in the country. Apart from the government-run heart hospitals many privately-run hospitals have sprung up in the country in recent times. Even complicated bypass surgeries and angioplasties are being done almost everyday in different hospitals in the capital city. Hundreds of people are undergoing treatment in those hospitals. But those are based in the capital city. Hospitals with adequate facilities for the treatment of heart patients should be set up at divisional and district towns. If it is done, people living in remote villages will be highly benefited. Creation of mass awareness is also needed for prevention of heart-related ailments.