When a cardiac valve (the aortic and the mitral ones above all) is very badly deteriorated, replacing them with a prosthetic valve can be necessary. Among them, there are two perfectly differentiated types, with very specific characteristics: mechanical valves (also known as metal valves) and biological valves or bioprosthesis. Which of them are better: mechanical […]
How the aortic valve pathology is diagnosed?
The first step on diagnosing aortic stenosis (see “What is aortic stenosis?”) uses to be its suspect after presenting any of the symptoms (“What are the symptoms for aortic stenosis?”). In other occasions, a heart murmur during the auscultation is detected, and it consists on an abnormal sound due to the turbulence generating the narrowing […]
TAVI: risks
Risks and complications of transcatheter aortic implantations Every surgical or invasive technique, as TAVI is, entails a series of potential risks or complications. Why is this technique used if there are risks? Despite carrying certain risks, choosing this technique in particular is because the risk associated to it is lower than other techniques and the […]
Access routes for TAVI implantation
Routes for TAVI implantation As we explained on “What does TAVI mean?”, it is a technique used to implant (functionally replacing) the aortic valve, in a less invasive way than conventional surgery. TAVI: access routes In such article it is mentioned that TAVI means “transcatheter aortic valve implantation”, which means that the prosthetic valve is […]
Does a cardiologist and a heart surgeon have the same responsibilities?
In the field of heart pathology, there is a concept that is not always clear, at media level or between patients or even Healthcare professionals from other fields: the difference between a Cardiologist and a Heart Surgeon. This difference can lead to misunderstandings and it essential when analysing and understandings many aspects of this pathology. […]
Which specialist doctor should be responsible for implanting a transcatheter valve or TAVI?
Who should implant TAVI? As we saw on “Does a cardiologist and a heart surgeon have the same responsibilities?”, two fields (Cardiology and Heart Surgery) that diagnose and treat the different types of heart ailments or in different stages of the therapeutic process. What is a “heart team”? Due to this common ground (but also […]
Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI): for which patients?
As we have explained on “What does TAVI mean? What is it for?”, the election of the most proper technique for treating aortic stenosis on a patient must be done on an individual basis, considering the specific factors for each person. Regardless of that, evaluating it as TAVI application is interesting as it has been […]
What is TAVI? What is it for?
Aortic stenosis: TAVI As we saw on “What is the treatment for aortic stenosis?”, when the narrowing of this valve reaches a certain level of severity and manifestations (signs and symptoms), it may be necessary to correct the valve problem. Over the years, there is a technique which is being increasingly extended, and it is […]
What is the treatment for aortic stenosis?
What is the treatment for aortic stenosis? There are different options to treat the narrowing of the aortic valve and it is important to analyse in detail the characteristics of each patient in order to choose the best option, considering the degree of severity and the rest of the characteristics (age, associated diseases, medical and […]
What are the symptoms for aortic stenosis?
As “What is aortic stenosis?” or “Which are the causes for aortic stenosis?” is clarified, it is time to clarify what are the symptoms for aortic stenosis. As we already know, aortic stenosis is the narrowing of the hole where blood flows, to the exit of the heart (left ventricle) to arrive to all organs […]
Which are the causes for aortic stenosis?
There are different causes that might result in aortic stenosis (see “what is aortic stenosis”) including: Calcification of the valve Rheumatic fever Congenital heart problems Calcification of the valve Over the years, valves suffer an ageing process that consists on calcium build-up in its cusps, which results in stiffness and opening problems. Not all calcification […]
What is aortic stenosis?
Aortic stenosis is an affectation of the valve which is in the left ventricular outflow and consists of a narrowing and a reduction of its functional diameter. In order to understand the impact of this situation, we must remind some basic concepts. What are the valves of the heart and what are their functions? Heart […]
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