A New Life With a New Valve: How Timely Treatment Restored a Failing Heart
By Dr. Sameer Gupta in Metro Heart Institute, Sector 12, Noida
A New Life With a New Valve: How Timely Treatment Restored a Failing Heart
A 73-year-old gentleman had been struggling for several months with troubling symptoms—breathlessness, dizziness, chest discomfort, and extreme fatigue. Everyday activities such as walking or climbing stairs had become difficult, and his condition kept worsening.
When his symptoms sharply increased, he was admitted to a nearby hospital. Investigations there revealed a serious heart valve problem and he was referred to Metro Heart Institute, Noida for advanced evaluation and specialised treatment.
Detailed Evaluation at Metro
At Metro, a team of cardiologists carried out a complete heart assessment through:
✓ Echocardiography (ECHO)
It showed:
- Severe narrowing of the aortic valve (severe aortic stenosis)
- Thick, calcified valve leaflets
- Moderate aortic regurgitation
- Heart pumping efficiency at 55%, within lower-normal range
✓ CT Angiography
Confirmed:
- Critically narrowed, heavily calcified aortic valve
- Normal coronary arteries
- Normal abdominal and lower limb vessels
These findings confirmed a dangerous combination of severe aortic stenosis and regurgitation—a condition that can lead to fainting spells, heart failure, and even sudden cardiac arrest if left untreated.
Considering the patient’s age and associated conditions (hypertension, diabetes), the Heart Team recommended TAVI/TAVR—a minimally invasive valve replacement procedure safer than open-heart surgery.
Life-Saving Treatment: TAVI
On 14th November 2025, the Metro Heart Team performed a successful Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) using a 26 mm Medtronic Evolut Pro valve.
What happens in TAVI?
- A new valve is delivered through a small puncture in the leg artery
- No chest cut, no stitches, no heart-lung machine
- The old narrowed valve is opened, and the new valve starts functioning immediately
- Recovery is considerably faster compared to traditional surgery
The procedure was smooth, and follow-up tests confirmed excellent valve functioning with no complications.
Recovery & Discharge
Within days, the patient:
- Began breathing comfortably
- Saw a major reduction in fatigue
- Was able to walk without symptoms
- Regained confidence and mobility
He was discharged on 17th November 2025 with a customised medication plan and clear follow-up advice.
Why Timely Treatment Matters
Severe aortic stenosis is life-threatening. Without valve replacement:
- 50% of patients may not survive beyond 2–3 years
- Risk of sudden cardiac death increases
- Quality of life drops sharply
TAVI has emerged as a breakthrough treatment for elderly patients—providing safety, rapid recovery, and excellent long-term outcomes.
