Procedures can address the many, common quality-of-life-limiting symptoms caused by heart disease.
With the close of February and American Heart Month upon us, much as been shared about the symptoms, risk factors, and causes of the many forms of heart disease.
But for those living with the illness and its symptoms, what options do they have?
There are several minimally invasive procedures cardiologists can perform to address and relieve the symptoms that all too often leave those suffering with heart disease from having to continuously make accommodations for their condition and potentially miss out on many enjoyable and precious parts of life.
And by utilizing a hospital’s cardiac catheterization lab and catheter-based procedures, patients avoid the need for invasive open-heart surgery for many conditions.
Here are some of the more common procedures.
TAVR (Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement)
For patients suffering from aortic stenosis, a form of heart disease narrowing the heart's aortic valve, TAVR involves the placement of a new valve into the heart via a catheter inserted through a small incision in the leg.
TAVR can significantly improve symptoms such as shortness of breath and fatigue, enhancing overall heart function and patient well-being.
Watchman Procedure
This procedure is particularly beneficial for patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation and at an increased risk of stroke, as it aims to prevent blood clots from entering the bloodstream.
The Watchman device is a permanent implant designed to close the left atrial appendage, a common source of these clots, thereby reducing the risk without the long-term need for anticoagulation medication.
TCAR (TransCarotid Artery Revascularization)
TCAR is designed to prevent strokes in patients with carotid artery disease, another forms of heart disease.
This procedure is unique because it temporarily reverses the flow of blood in the artery during the insertion of a stent, which prevents any debris from reaching the brain and potentially causing a stroke. It's less invasive than traditional carotid surgery and has demonstrated high success rates with rapid recovery times.
MitraClip
This procedure addresses mitral regurgitation, a condition in which the heart's mitral valve does not close properly, allowing blood to flow backward into the heart.
The MitraClip device is inserted via a catheter and works by clipping together a portion of the valve's leaflets to reduce the backflow of blood. This method offers a significant improvement in symptoms and quality of life for patients who are considered high-risk for open-heart surgery.
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