Health and Me

Dr. Ravinder Singh Rao

Frail And Breathless At 94, Woman Overcomes Severe Breathlessness After Life-Saving Heart Procedure

As a cardiologist, I've had many cases, but few that impacted me as powerfully as that of Mrs. Bhanbai Gala, a 94-year-old woman from Mumbai in India, who survived with determination to attend her great-grandson's wedding after accepting to go under the revolutionary Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) surgery.

Mrs. Gala, thin and only 36 kg in weight, had been having severe aortic stenosis, which made her aortic valve narrow and limited blood passage. She complained of chronic chest heaviness and shortness of breath, precluding her from walking more than a few meters. Due to her bypass operation history in 2010 and her poor state, she was highly susceptible to open-heart surgery. Her family, particularly her granddaughter, Dr. Mita Gala—a general practitioner—was much concerned with her health condition. 

Mrs. Gala did have a wish though: she desired to attend the wedding of her great-grandson. This tender aspiration pushed her family towards attempting medical remedies for her illness even with the attendant risks.

Following careful consideration, I advised TAVR, a minimally invasive procedure to replace the stenosed aortic valve without open-heart surgery. Due to her advanced age, history of cardiac disease, and petite stature, the procedure was fraught with risk. Nevertheless, with careful planning and precise execution, we believed that we could provide her with a new quality of life.

The operation was done under local anesthetic. Using a catheter placed through the femoral artery, we replaced her failing aortic valve within an hour. In spite of her complicated anatomy and pre-existing trifascicular AV block, the new valve worked immediately, enabling her to breathe more comfortably during the night.

Within 48 hours, Mrs. Gala was discharged from the hospital. At her one-month follow-up, she was doing amazingly well—she was walking comfortably, going about her household activities, and even making her favorite dessert, Khajur Pak. Her turnaround was nothing short of inspiring.

Her family, initially hesitant about the procedure, was flooded with joy. Dr. Mita Gala, who too had her reservations as a doctor, was extremely thankful. "As a physician, I was unsure of the safety of TAVR for my grandmother, but Dr. Rao's knowledge and continuous guidance put our minds at rest," she stated. "Watching her experience the wedding traditions with such zest was a blessing indeed."

Mrs. Gala's story is a testament to the remarkable progress in interventional cardiology. TAVR has been a game-saver for patients with severe aortic stenosis, providing a safe and effective option, even for high-risk procedures. With each passing year, our experience with the procedure has enabled us to customize therapies to fit complicated anatomical and physiologic states, providing the optimal results.

Though long considered for patients who are not candidates for open-heart surgery, TAVR is increasingly being offered to younger, low-risk patients in their 60s if the valve can be replaced through the femoral artery. The success of these cases adds to the increased use of the procedure globally.

Since it was first applied in India in 2011, the <span>TAVR procedure</span> has been on the rise. With an estimated prevalence of 7.3% for isolated aortic stenosis alone, it's estimated that close to 300,000 individuals in India may be eligible for TAVR. The potential to deliver a life-enhancing therapy to an elderly patient such as Mrs. Gala is a reflection of the advancement of cardiology and the life-altering power of medical innovation.

Health Conditions A-Z

health

heart health

tavr procedure

aortic stenosis treatment

elderly heart surgery

minimally invasive valve replacement

mumbai cardiology success

transcatheter heart valve

life-saving heart surgery

How A Poorly Inserted Menstrual Cup Can Be Dangerous? Step-By-Step Guide To Place It Correctly

Zucchini Poisoning Is Real—Here's How To Identify It

This Simple Smartphone Hack Could Help Fight Depression

Health & Wellness

10 Exercises You Should Do For Arm Strength

10 Ways You Can Maximize Your Gym Exercises

10 Exercises You Can Do While Walking

10 Healthy Savoury Pancakes To Have For Breakfast

10 Herbal Tea Mixes For Winters

10 Habits To Ensure Your Teeth Health

10 Detox Juices You Should Try

10 Low Impact Exercises For Weight Loss

10 Foods That Should Be Part Of A Runners Diet

10 Gym Exercises Basketball Players Should Do

10 Light Foods You Can Eat Before Exercises

10 Ways To Beat The Sleep Spell In Office

10 Tips To Help Muscle Recovery

6-6-6 Walking Routine Can Help You Stay Fit

10 Breathing Exercises To Try When You’re Feeling Anxious

10 Ways To Beat Morning Fatigue

10 Type Of Squats You Can Do For Weight Loss

Soaked vs. Roasted Chickpeas: Which One is Healthier?

10 Ways For Busy People To Stay Active

10 High-Calorie Foods to Watch Out For At Gatherings

10 Brain Exercises to Improve Your Focus and Memory

Creative Ways to Complete Your 10,000 Steps Indoors

10 Best Carb Choices for Managing Type 2 Diabetes

10 White Foods to Avoid for Better Weight Loss Results

10 Delicious Mediterranean Diet Dinners: Low-Carb and High-Protein Options

Healthy and Protein-Packed Late-Night Snacks to Satisfy Your Cravings

10 Negative Habits That Drain Your Mind’s Power

10 Brain-Boosting Activities to Sharpen Your Mind

10 Protein-Rich Breakfast Dishes To Try

10 Signs Your Heart Is Healthy

10 Foods To Improve Your Brain Health

10 Foods That Boost Your Metabolism

10 Exercise To Improve Grip Strength

10 Staple Foods To Make Eating Healthy Easier

10 Foods You Should Eat If You Are Weight-Training

10 Basics Rules Of Weight Training

10 Ways To Deal With Winter Dry Skin

Workout Week: 10 Back Exercises To Do At Gym

10 Healthy Chicken Recipes For Winter

10 Morning Habits That Can Make You Sick

As a cardiologist, I've had many cases, but few that impacted me as powerfully as that of Mrs. Bhanbai Gala, a 94-year-old woman from Mumbai in India, who survived with determination to attend her great-grandson's wedding after accepting to go under the revolutionary Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) surgery.Mrs. Gala, thin and only 36 kg in weight, had been having severe aortic stenosis, which made her aortic valve narrow and limited blood passage. She complained of chronic chest heaviness and shortness of breath, precluding her from walking more than a few meters. Due to her bypass operation history in 2010 and her poor state, she was highly susceptible to open-heart surgery. Her family, particularly her granddaughter, Dr. Mita Gala—a general practitioner—was much concerned with her health condition. Mrs. Gala did have a wish though: she desired to attend the wedding of her great-grandson. This tender aspiration pushed her family towards attempting medical remedies for her illness even with the attendant risks.Following careful consideration, I advised TAVR, a minimally invasive procedure to replace the stenosed aortic valve without open-heart surgery. Due to her advanced age, history of cardiac disease, and petite stature, the procedure was fraught with risk. Nevertheless, with careful planning and precise execution, we believed that we could provide her with a new quality of life.The operation was done under local anesthetic. Using a catheter placed through the femoral artery, we replaced her failing aortic valve within an hour. In spite of her complicated anatomy and pre-existing trifascicular AV block, the new valve worked immediately, enabling her to breathe more comfortably during the night.Within 48 hours, Mrs. Gala was discharged from the hospital. At her one-month follow-up, she was doing amazingly well—she was walking comfortably, going about her household activities, and even making her favorite dessert, Khajur Pak. Her turnaround was nothing short of inspiring.Her family, initially hesitant about the procedure, was flooded with joy. Dr. Mita Gala, who too had her reservations as a doctor, was extremely thankful. "As a physician, I was unsure of the safety of TAVR for my grandmother, but Dr. Rao's knowledge and continuous guidance put our minds at rest," she stated. "Watching her experience the wedding traditions with such zest was a blessing indeed."Mrs. Gala's story is a testament to the remarkable progress in interventional cardiology. TAVR has been a game-saver for patients with severe aortic stenosis, providing a safe and effective option, even for high-risk procedures. With each passing year, our experience with the procedure has enabled us to customize therapies to fit complicated anatomical and physiologic states, providing the optimal results.Though long considered for patients who are not candidates for open-heart surgery, TAVR is increasingly being offered to younger, low-risk patients in their 60s if the valve can be replaced through the femoral artery. The success of these cases adds to the increased use of the procedure globally.Since it was first applied in India in 2011, the TAVR procedure has been on the rise. With an estimated prevalence of 7.3% for isolated aortic stenosis alone, it's estimated that close to 300,000 individuals in India may be eligible for TAVR. The potential to deliver a life-enhancing therapy to an elderly patient such as Mrs. Gala is a reflection of the advancement of cardiology and the life-altering power of medical innovation.