JAMMU: The Department of Cardiology at All India Institute of Medical Sciences Jammu has successfully performed its first Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) procedure, marking a major milestone in advanced cardiac care in Jammu and Kashmir.
The high-end lifesaving intervention was carried out on a 74-year-old male patient suffering from critical aortic stenosis, a severe narrowing of the aortic valve that significantly restricts blood flow from the heart and carries a high risk of sudden cardiac death if left untreated.
Officials said the patient was thoroughly evaluated by a multidisciplinary heart team. Considering the high surgical risk associated with conventional open-heart surgery, along with the patient’s preference for a minimally invasive approach, TAVI was planned as the most suitable treatment option.
The procedure was successfully performed by Dr. Mayank Saini, Assistant Professor, Department of Cardiology, and Dr. Zubair Farooq, Assistant Professor, Department of Cardiology, AIIMS Jammu, with assistance from the cardiac anaesthesia team led by Dr. Slomi Gupta.
Surgical backup was provided by the CTVS team led by Dr. Sartaj Ahmad Guroo to ensure seamless execution and patient safety throughout the procedure.
TAVI is an advanced minimally invasive procedure in which a new artificial heart valve is implanted through a catheter, usually inserted through a blood vessel in the leg, thereby avoiding conventional open-heart surgery.
The technology is considered especially beneficial for elderly patients and those unsuitable for major surgery.
Officials said the procedure was performed with support from the Ayushman Bharat scheme, highlighting the growing accessibility of advanced cardiac therapies in the region.
The successful intervention is among the few TAVI procedures performed in Jammu and Kashmir and reflects the rapidly advancing interventional cardiology capabilities at AIIMS Jammu.
Doctors said the availability of such advanced procedures within Jammu will significantly benefit patients suffering from complex cardiac ailments, many of whom earlier had to travel outside the Union Territory for specialised treatment.
The patient is presently recovering well and has shown significant clinical improvement following the procedure.
Prof. (Dr.) D.N. Sharma, Executive Director and CEO, AIIMS Jammu, congratulated the Department of Cardiology and associated teams for the achievement and said the institute remains committed to providing world-class healthcare services and advanced treatment facilities closer to home for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Apart from this achievement, the Department of Cardiology at AIIMS Jammu has completed nearly 200 cardiac interventions since the commissioning of the Cath Lab.
The department recently conducted a specialised electrophysiology workshop involving EPS and radiofrequency ablation procedures for patients suffering from cardiac rhythm disorders, services which are still not widely available in the region.
AIIMS Jammu has also performed several highly complex coronary interventions, including left main coronary artery angioplasty, IVUS-guided PCI in heavily calcified coronary lesions and mechanical circulatory support-assisted PCI for life-threatening left main disease in high-risk patients.
The department is planning further expansion of services covering the full spectrum of modern interventional cardiology with the aim of delivering advanced cardiac care to patients within Jammu and Kashmir.
