74-year-old undergoes rare heart surgery

For 74-year-old Padmanabhan climbing 21 steps without help is a huge achievement. Padmanabhan, who underwent a bypass surgery more than 10 years ago, was suffering from aortic valve stenosis (narrowing of the valve that controls blood flow from the heart). 

He recently underwent a successful TAVR conducted by Dr. G. Sengottuvelu, Senior Interventional Cardiologist, Apollo Main Hospitals. TAVR is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that repairs the valve without removing the old, damaged valve. Instead, it wedges a replacement valve into the aortic valve. 

The procedure is recommended for those who are considered high-risk candidates for open surgery. On Tuesday, the Ayanavaram resident and father of four, talked about his recovery. 

Filled with emotions Padmanabhan said, “I couldn’t even walk five steps before the surgery. Now, I can climb the steps near my house. It is such a huge relief. I have had a rebirth,” he says. 

Dr Sengottuvelu said, “This patient had a number of other factors like obstructive sleep apnea, poor kidney function, asthma and high lung pressure, apart from diabetes and hypertension. 

Moreover, he had already undergone a bypass more than 10 years ago. That is why we went for TAVR, which is now gaining popularity in India. 

After the surgery the patient has normal valve functionality, his lung pressure and kidney functioning has also improved. 

He was discharged in four days and is now leading a normal life.” Aortic stenosis is a common disease among the elderly, as the valve degenerates over a period of time. 

One in two patients dies within a couple of years after symptoms like breathlessness and spells of fainting and chest pain. At least, 30 per cent of them are not recommended for open surgery due to high surgical risk.