Beating Valve Disease at 79: How TAVI Helped an Elderly Lady Breathe Freely Again
By Dr. Sameer Gupta in Metro Heart Institute, Sector 12, Noida
A 79-year-old woman had slowly begun to lose her independence. Walking a few steps left her breathless, climbing stairs felt impossible, and she often complained of chest heaviness and tiredness. Over time, these symptoms kept increasing, worrying her family.
Reaching Metro Hospitals
With her breathlessness getting worse, she was advised to visit Metro Hospitals & Heart Institute, Noida for a detailed heart check-up. Given her age and long-standing high blood pressure, doctors suspected a serious valve problem and admitted her for evaluation.
What the Tests Revealed
At Metro, a series of tests were done, including echocardiography (ECHO) and CT angiography.
These showed that:
- The main valve of her heart (aortic valve) had become severely narrowed and heavily calcified
- There was also leakage through the same valve (aortic regurgitation)
- Her heart had to work much harder to pump blood to the rest of the body
This condition is called severe aortic stenosis, and in elderly patients it can be life-threatening if not treated in time.
Choosing a Safer Option – TAVI
Open-heart surgery to replace the valve is often risky in older patients. After a detailed discussion by the Heart Team and with the family, doctors recommended Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) – a modern, minimally invasive way to replace the valve without opening the chest.
During TAVI:
- A small puncture was made in the artery in her leg
- A thin tube carrying a folded artificial valve was guided up to her heart
- The new valve was opened inside the diseased one and started working immediately
The procedure went smoothly and there were no complications.
Recovery and Results
Within a short time after the procedure:
- Her breathlessness reduced noticeably
- She could walk with much more confidence
- Her heart function remained stable
- She was discharged in a comfortable and stable condition with proper medicines and follow-up advice
Her family was relieved to see her regain her strength and smile again.
Why This Story Matters
Severe aortic valve disease is common in the elderly, but symptoms like breathlessness, chest discomfort, fatigue or repeated dizziness are often ignored as “old age.” This case shows that:
- Timely diagnosis is crucial
- Advanced treatments like TAVI can be safer than conventional surgery for older, high-risk patients
- With the right care, even a 79-year-old can get a new lease of life
At Metro Hospitals & Heart Institute, TAVI is helping many such patients return to a more active, comfortable life with their families.
