Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI)

TAVI is the implantation of a biological aortic valve percutaneously, that is, without opening the thorax, but through the groin. The TAVI intervention is indicated in patients - having a very tight calcified aortic stenosis, responsible for very debilitating, even potentially fatal manifestations (shortness of breath, angina pain or syncope occurring on exertion); - AND deemed inoperable or at very high surgical risk (old age, other diseases, especially kidney diseases, etc.). Therefore, TAVI is an alternative to replacing the aortic valve with a conventional operation under general anesthesia, with opening of the thorax, establishment of extracorporeal circulation (ECC) and implantation of an artificial, mechanical or biological valve.