With the operation of the pioneering percutaneous implantation center for special biological aortic valves, in which dozens of surgeries have already been performed with absolute success, Henry Dunant Hospital Center not only has a prominent place in the limited list of state-certified hospitals for valve implantation using the TAVI method, but also stars in the treatment of high-risk heart patients with the most modern methods worldwide.
As a recognized percutaneous implantation center of special biological aortic valves with innovative operations, it has its own special contribution to the development of the TAVI method (Trans-catheter Aortic Valve Implantation) in our country. With the modern invasive method of aortic valve replacement, a new bioprosthetic valve is implanted in place of the old degenerated and narrowed aortic valve.
The development of this percutaneous transcatheter method was primarily aimed at patients over the age of 75, who had severe aortic valve stenosis but could not be subjected to operation due to their age as well as other risk factors. As a result, these patients remained symptomatic and had a significantly lower life expectancy. The TAVI method provided an important and crucial solution for these patients, which improved their quality of life and really increased their life expectancy. The use of new techniques, the improvement of materials, as well as the development of new aortic valves with different placement and operation mechanism (more than 10 certified are recorded) helped to expand the range of patients treated with this method. Thus, the operation is performed even in younger patients under the age of 75 (age group 65 to 75 years old) with fewer risk factors in a more painless, bloodless way and shorter hospital stay (usually 3 to 4 days) compared to classic surgery.
The certified Center operating at Henry Dunant Hospital Center is staffed by experienced cardiologists (the scientific director is Mr. Vaios Tzifos and the members are Mr. Grigorios Pavlidis, Mr. Athanasios Kolyviras and Mr. Georgios Tzanis), who have performed a large number of percutaneous surgeries in patients with valvular diseases.