ADK Hospital has successfully completed the first-ever Trans-Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) procedure in the Maldives.
Trans-Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) is a procedure that replaces diseased heart valves without the need for open-heart surgery in carefully selected patients. TAVI procedure is carried out if the patient has a problem with the aortic valve and is too high risk for open-heart surgery. During the procedure, a balloon catheter is inserted into an artery in either groin or underneath the collarbone.
Dr. Mohamed Shafiu said the operation was carried out due to the lack of adequate opening of the valve in the aorta which is the main blood vessel. He added the valve needs to be changed as soon as possible to resolve the issue. He said there may be different challenges if elderly people conduct such an operation,
An expert team of doctors of ADK conducted the procedure on an 81-year-old Maldivian man. A team of five doctors, nurses, and a standby team were part of the first-ever procedure, according to ADK hospital.