Mayapada Hospital Offers TAVI Procedure to Treat Aortic Stenosis
Have you ever noticed elderly people complaining of shortness of breath and chest pain during activities? These complaints are not merely a factor of age, but could be symptoms of narrowing of the heart’s aortic valve (aortic stenosis), a condition that obstructs blood flow and risks causing heart failure. In severe cases, this condition needs to be treated with a Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) procedure, which is an aortic valve replacement without major chest surgery, currently only available in Indonesian hospitals with complete cardiac facilities and teams.
Regarding the TAVI procedure, Dr. Amir Aziz from Mayapada Hospital Kuningan explained that this procedure is performed by inserting a new heart valve using a catheter through a blood vessel in the groin crease. The new valve is then deployed inside the narrowed aortic valve, so that blood flow can return smoothly without the need to open the chest cavity as in open-heart surgery. However, TAVI is not necessarily an option for all patients.
To ensure this procedure is suitable for the patient’s condition, Dr. Aron Husink from Mayapada Hospital Tangerang explained the importance of a thorough patient evaluation. He stated that before the procedure, it is crucial to undergo initial examinations, such as echocardiography, a special CT scan to measure the valve size and vascular pathway, coronary artery examination, and laboratory tests. The results of this series of examinations then form the basis for assessment by a multidisciplinary team of doctors consisting of interventional cardiologists, radiologists, cardiac surgeons, anaesthetists, and other sub-specialists to determine whether the patient requires the TAVI procedure or other therapy.
"After the procedure, the patient requires monitoring to ensure the new valve functions properly and the body’s condition remains stable. Patients also need to undergo routine check-ups, take medication as prescribed by the doctor, maintain oral and dental health, and control cardiovascular disease risk factors so that the therapy results remain optimal," he explained. It is important to remember that the success of the TAVI procedure is influenced by how early the heart disorder is detected and the accuracy of therapy selection, making routine check-ups very important.
Apart from that, the public no longer needs to go abroad to receive treatment with the TAVI procedure. Through its Cardiovascular Centre, Mayapada Hospital provides comprehensive cardiac services ranging from early detection, diagnosis, interventional procedures and cardiac surgery including the TAVI procedure, to rehabilitation. This is supported by team-based management by experienced cardiologists and sub-specialists, as well as Cardiac Advisor assistance for patients and families from the start of treatment through to recovery.
The Cardiovascular Centre is available at Mayapada Hospital Jakarta (Kuningan, Lebak Bulus, Cakung), Tangerang, Bogor, Bandung, Surabaya, and Nusantara. For initial examination of chest pain complaints, Mayapada Hospital has a Chest Pain Unit service to thoroughly determine the cause of chest pain, which is free of charge if it is not due to a heart attack. If a heart problem is found, this service is integrated with the 24/7 Cardiac Emergency unit for further treatment with an experienced team of doctors and nurses, including an Anaesthesiologist on standby 24 hours a day. This applies to cases requiring surgical intervention or advanced intensive care, supported by Cath Lab facilities to help ensure the diagnostic process can be carried out quickly and accurately.
To schedule a consultation with a cardiologist at Mayapada Hospital, the public can contact the call centre at 150770 or WhatsApp 0817-1715-077. Information regarding cardiac services at all Mayapada Hospital units can be found in the Health Articles & Tips feature on MyCare, as well as the Personal Health feature connected to Google Fit and Health Access to monitor heart rate, calories, steps, and Body Mass Index (BMI).