SHILLONG: Meghalaya has entered a new phase in advanced cardiac treatment after Supercare Hospital successfully performed the state’s first Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) on a 74-year-old woman from Sohra suffering from severe heart valve disease.
The breakthrough procedure was carried out on a patient diagnosed with severe aortic valve stenosis, a life-threatening condition in which the aortic valve gradually narrows due to age-related degeneration, restricting blood flow from the heart to the rest of the body.
The medical team was led by Interventional Cardiologist Dr Synrang Batngen Warjri, assisted by Cardiologist Dr Amethyst Bamon, Anaesthetist Dr Bordoloi and the hospital’s specialised cardiac care unit. Doctors said the successful intervention marks a major advancement for Meghalaya’s healthcare sector, particularly in the field of minimally invasive cardiac treatment.
Traditionally, patients suffering from severe aortic stenosis often require open-heart surgery, a procedure that involves opening the chest and extended recovery periods. Elderly patients and those with additional health complications are frequently considered high-risk candidates for such surgeries.
TAVI, however, offers a less invasive alternative. The procedure involves inserting an artificial valve through a small puncture in the groin and guiding it to the heart using blood vessels, eliminating the need for major chest surgery. According to the medical team, the minimally invasive nature of the procedure allows patients to recover significantly faster, with reduced pain, minimal scarring and shorter hospital stays.
In the recent case, doctors said the puncture wound was smaller than a one-rupee coin, enabling the patient to recover quickly and be discharged from the hospital within two days.
Speaking to reporters, Dr Warjri described the operation as a landmark achievement for cardiac care in Meghalaya.
“This is a major step forward for healthcare in the state. Patients who earlier had to travel outside Meghalaya for such advanced procedures can now access treatment closer to home,” he said.
He further explained that TAVI is particularly beneficial for elderly and high-risk patients who may not be medically fit for conventional open-heart surgery.
“Many patients suffering from severe valve disease are elderly and often carry additional risks. TAVI provides a safer and more effective treatment option for such cases,” Dr Warjri added.
Hospital authorities expressed hope that the successful procedure would pave the way for more advanced cardiac interventions in Meghalaya and strengthen specialised healthcare services within the state.
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