Return to flip book view

TAVI TRANSFEMORAL AORTIC VALVE INSERTION PATIENT INFORMATION LEAFLET

TAVI TRANSFEMORAL AORTIC VALVE INSERTION PATIENT INFORMATION LEAFLET What Is Aortic Stenosis Aortic valve stenosis happens when the heart s aortic valve narrows This narrowing stops the valve from opening fully and reduces or blocks blood flow from your heart into the main artery to your body aorta and onward to the rest of your body When the blood flow is reduced the heart has to work harder to pump blood around the body this can make the heart muscle weak Normal Aortic Valve Open Aortic Valve Closed Aortic Valve Stenosis Open Closed The Human Heart What Are The Symptoms Of Aortic Stenosis Shortness of breath Chest Pain Blackouts with exertion How Is Aortic Stenosis Diagnosed People usually find out they have aortic stenosis after their doctor or nurse hears a heart murmur when the listen to the heart with a stethoscope You will undergo some tests to see how severe it is 1 Echocardiogram Echo This is an ultrasound of the heart It shows the size of the heart chambers how well the heart us pumping and how well the heart valves are working Images of heart on computer Transducer Electrodes 2 Electrocardiogram ECG This test measures the electrical activity in your heart 3 Angiogram This test assesses the arteries of your heart This procedure is done in the cardiac Cathlab The doctor passes a tube into a blood vessel in your leg or arm up to your heart This will show if any of the arteries in your heart are narrowed or blocked Electrodes Heart Blood Vessel Catheter tube Places where catheter tube is put in body

4 CT Scan This test uses a series of X rays to create detailed images of your heart and heart valves It will measure the size of the aorta and look at the aortic valve more closely It will also make sure the vessels in the leg are big enough to deliver the valve from the leg How Is The TAVI Valve Inserted Trans catheter aortic valve implantation TAVI is a procedure that allows an aortic valve to be implanted using a long narrow tube called a catheter Usually the catheter is inserted into a large blood vessel in your groin or through a small incision in your chest What Is A TAVI Trans catheter aortic valve implantation TAVI is a way of replacing your existing valve with a new artificial tissue valve without having open heart surgery Valve squeezed either onto or inside catheter Trans catheter aortic valves are specially designed and are made of natural tissue from the heart of either a cow or a pig This natural tissue is a re engineered and attached to a flexible expanding mesh frame In order to implant it into the heart the valve is squeezed around a catheter The valve is then inserted and guided to the aortic valve and it is implanted over your existing valve The new valve will start to work right away The procedure usually takes 1 2 hours Catheter What Are The Risks Of The Procedure TAVI is a well established procedure that has been used to treat people with aortic stenosis since the early 2000 s Your suitability to undergo TAVI will be discussed at a meeting of our Heart Team once all your tests are completed Complications typically include 1 2 risk of death 2 4 risk of stroke

5 10 risk of needing a pacemaker Bleeding at the groin sites The risks will vary depending on your age and other factors Your cardiologist will discuss the risks and benefits with you and your family in more detail before the procedure Pre procedure Instructions You will need to fast from midnight the night before your procedure You can have water up until 2 hours beforehand Instructions on what medications to take coming up to your procedure will be advised once you have a date for the TAVI Please bring an overnight bag a list of your current medication and details of your heath insurance with you on to hospital What Happens After The Procedure Once the procedure is finished you will go to a cardiac monitored bed overnight You will need to lie flat for approximately 4 hours after the procedure to allow the groin sites to heal If all goes well you will be helped to sit out of bed later that day You can expect some mild discomfort after your procedure and you will be given pain relief medication if needed You will have an ECHO and ECG the following morning to check the valve is working correctly Will I Have To Take Any Medication Afterwards The new valve that is implanted is a tissue animal valve so you will need to take blood thinning medicine usually aspirin You will be given a prescription before going home from the hospital Pain And Healing There will be a small wound in one or both groins area at the top of your leg It is normal to have some bruising or mild discomfort and there may be a small lump about the size of a grape This bruising may take a couple of weeks before it goes back to normal If the area gets hard swollen or painful to touch it is important to get the GP to look at the site area Going Home Most patients who have a TAVI procedure are able to return home between 1 3 days after the procedure Please ensure you have someone arranged to give you a lift home on this day Post Procedure Instructions These guidelines are general as every person s recovery is different We advise you have someone at home to care for you for at least a week after you are discharged

We recommend that you resume your regular daily routine once discharged However you should avoid strenuous activity for 2 weeks after the procedure You may shower as soon as you wish Avoid baths until the groin site is completely healed We recommend you walk on level ground at an easy pace Take it easy walking up any hills or stairs Stop and rest if you become out of breath Daily exercise is vital to your healing build this up over time Do not do any heavy lifting pulling dragging gardening for 2 weeks Your consultant will let you know when you can drive and travel again You do not need to avoid sexual activity after the procedure As you build up your energy and endurance you can judge yourself when you are ready to return to your full sexual activity Your new heart valve is MRI compatible this means it will not interfere with an MRI scanner if your need one You must inform your dentist you have a new valve as you will need antibiotics if you have any dental work done Who Do I Contact If I Feel Unwell Once I Have Left The Hospital Your first point of contact should be your GP If it is an emergency please call an ambulance In What Circumstances Should I Contact The Hospital Contact the hospital or go to your nearest emergency department as applicable immediately if you notice any of the following Shortness of breath and any pain on breathing You develop a high temperature fever chills or flu like symptoms this could be an infection Your leg is swollen and painful The site looks red or inflamed if there is any oozing discharge from the site

Follow up Care You should continue to have regular visits with your Cardiologist and GP to ensure that your valve is working well and your symptoms are improving Useful Contact Numbers Structural Heart Nurse Specialist Aine 087 415 6075 Available Mon Fri 8am 4pm Cardiology Ward 01 293 8690 Cardiac Cath Lab 01 293 7583 Opening hours Mon Fri 08 00 20 00 Out of hours please contact the nursing supervisor at 01 2937535 Cardiologist ___________________________________________ Secretary ___________________________________________ Phone Number ___________________________________________

Beacon Hospital Sandyford Dublin 18 D18 AK68 Tel 01 293 6600 www beaconhospital ie version 2 10 2022