If you have been diagnosed with a condition called aortic stenosis, the aortic valve in your heart has narrowed and does not work properly. Traditionally, open heart surgery has been the main treatment option for aortic stenosis. However, TAVI is now a newer alternative option and is a far less invasive alternative. Your cardiologist will discuss your options and recommend the best procedure for you.
CVC Cardiovascular Clinics are proud to have world-class structural heart specialists, Dr. Alexander Incani and Dr. Karl Poon, as part of their team. Together, they have performed almost 1400 (July 2025) TAVI procedures at St Andrew’s War Memorial Hospital. Their exceptional expertise and clinical outcomes have led to St Andrew’s being recognised as Australia’s first and only TAVI Teaching Centre of Excellence. This prestigious recognition reflects the significant contributions of Dr. Poon and Dr. Incani to patient care, innovation, and education in the Asia-Pacific region.
The TAVI structural heart team includes specialist cardiac imaging cardiologists, cardiac anaesthetists, specialist nursing teams, and cardiac scientists. Prior to any TAVI procedure, several important steps and assessments are required.
A multidisciplinary team convenes to evaluate your overall health, imaging results and procedural risks to determine if TAVI is the most appropriate treatment option. This collaborative approach ensures that every patient receives a personalised treatment plan based on the highest standards of safety and care.
If you have been diagnosed with aortic stenosis, your aortic valve has become narrowed, restricting blood flow from your heart to the rest of your body. The aortic valve is a one-way valve that normally opens and closes smoothly with each heartbeat.
Over time, the valve can become stiff or narrowed due to age, genetic factors, high blood pressure, calcium build-up, cholesterol, smoking, or congenital conditions.
Symptoms of aortic valve disease may include:
TAVI replaces your existing valve with an artificial tissue valve. A successful procedure can relieve symptoms, improve quality of life, and increase life expectancy.
The procedure is often performed under general anaesthetic by our experienced cardiac anaesthetists. In some cases, and with growing popularity, local anaesthetic with conscious sedation may be used.
A canula or drip will be inserted into a vein in your arm to administer medications during the procedure.
Depending on the type of implant, a temporary pacing wire may be inserted through a vein in your neck or leg into the right ventricle of your heart. This wire is connected to a temporary pacemaker to help control your heart rate during the procedure. It is usually removed before the end of the procedure, though occasionally it may remain for a few days.
Together the two TAVI cardiologists mount the TAVI device inside a small metal stent at the end of a catheter. They will guide the catheter through the artery in your upper leg to your heart.
A transesophageal echocardiogram (TOE) an ultrasound probe is inserted into your oesophagus and used to guide the positioning of the catheter and valve.
Once in place, the new valve is will expand or be expanded using a small balloon.
Your original valve is not removed during this procedure. The new valve is implanted, hence being called a TAVI (implant). Once the new valve is in place and functioning, the catheter is withdrawn, and the small incision is closed.
The procedure typically takes between 30 to 45 minutes.
You will be monitored in ICU for up to 24 hours before continuing your rapid recovery on the cardiology ward. The usual postoperative hospital stay is often only one to two days.
After your procedure:
