Aortic stenosis occurs when the heart’s aortic valve becomes narrowed, restricting blood flow from the heart to the rest of the body. If left untreated, the condition can lead to heart failure, repeated hospitalisations, and even become life-threatening. While surgical valve replacement has traditionally been the standard treatment, many elderly patients are unable to undergo open-heart surgery because of multiple co-existing medical conditions and increased surgical risk.
Offering new hope to such patients, Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) has emerged as a minimally invasive alternative that enables doctors to replace the diseased valve through a catheter inserted via a blood vessel, avoiding open-heart surgery and significantly reducing recovery time.
Demonstrating how indigenous innovation is expanding access to advanced cardiac care, Synergy Hospital, Nagpur, successfully performed two challenging TAVR procedures on elderly patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis using Made-in-India technology. Both patients were considered extremely high-risk for conventional open-heart surgery because of multiple co-existing medical conditions, making the minimally invasive approach the most suitable treatment option.
The first patient, a 75-year-old man, was diagnosed with severe aortic stenosis along with significantly reduced heart pumping function (left ventricular dysfunction), chronic kidney disease, and chronic lung disease, placing him at exceptionally high surgical risk. Despite these complexities, the multidisciplinary heart team successfully performed the TAVR procedure, restoring blood flow through the diseased valve.
The second patient, an elderly woman, had been experiencing severe breathlessness and declining functional capacity due to advanced aortic stenosis, along with several co-existing illnesses that made open-heart surgery highly challenging. She too underwent a successful minimally invasive valve replacement procedure.
Following treatment, both patients showed significant symptomatic improvement and were discharged within two to three days, highlighting the benefits of minimally invasive structural heart interventions in carefully selected high-risk patients.
A notable aspect of both procedures was the use of a Made-in-India transcatheter heart valve along with an indigenously developed Cath Lab imaging system, showcasing India’s growing capability to develop world-class medical technologies while advancing the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
Commenting on the increasing burden of heart valve disease among older adults, Dr. Ashar Khan, Interventional Cardiologist at Synergy Hospital, Nagpur, said:
“Many elderly individuals gradually limit their daily activities because they believe breathlessness, fatigue, or reduced exercise capacity are simply part of ageing. In reality, these symptoms may indicate severe aortic stenosis—a condition that can become life-threatening if left untreated. Timely diagnosis is critical. Today, with minimally invasive procedures like TAVR and the availability of high-quality indigenous medical technology, we are able to offer advanced, life-saving treatment even to patients who are considered extremely high-risk for conventional open-heart surgery, while enabling faster recovery and improved quality of life.”
Doctors recommend that older adults who experience persistent breathlessness, chest discomfort, dizziness, fainting, or a noticeable decline in physical activity should seek timely cardiac evaluation. Early diagnosis and appropriate intervention can prevent irreversible heart damage and significantly improve long-term outcomes.
The successful treatment of these two high-risk patients reflects how the combination of skilled clinical expertise, modern healthcare infrastructure, and Made-in-India medical technology is making advanced structural heart therapies increasingly accessible across India, bringing world-class cardiac care closer to patients who need it the most.
Disclaimer: This press release is for general information purposes only and should not be construed as professional medical advice. Always consult a doctor before taking any decisions.
