Mumbai: In a ground-breaking medical success, a frail 94-year-old woman from Mumbai has regained her independence and quality of life after undergoing a Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) procedure. Weighing only 36 kg, Bhanbai Gala was treated for severe aortic stenosis by the veteran interventional cardiologist Dr Ravinder Singh Rao.
Bhanbai Gala, grandmother to a general practitioner Dr. Mita Gala, had been battling severe chest heaviness and breathlessness for months. Her condition limited her ability to walk even a few steps and disrupted her daily routine. A bypass surgery in 2010 and her frailty put her at high risk for treatment. Yet, her determination to attend her great-grandson’s wedding led her family to seek medical solutions.
Following detailed evaluations, Dr Rao recommended TAVR, a minimally invasive procedure to replace the aortic valve. TAVR was deemed high risk in view of advanced age and previous bypass surgery. Performed under local anaesthesia, the hour-long procedure involved inserting a new valve via the femoral artery, replacing the narrowed aortic valve without complications. The patient started to breathe better overnight.
Dr Rao said, “Our extensive experience with TAVR helps to perform the procedure safely in a complex situation. The valve starts functioning immediately, and when these patients go home without complications, they do extremely well. TAVR is a game-changer for patients with aortic stenosis. It is also approved for low-risk patients in their 60s if the valve can be replaced from the groin vessel,” said Dr Rao. “Her small build, complex anatomy, and Trifascicular AV block posed challenges, but meticulous planning ensured a safe and successful outcome.”
Bhanbai Gala was discharged within 48 hours and experienced significant improvements in her symptoms. At her one-month follow-up, she reported walking comfortably, completing household chores, and even preparing her favourite dessert, Khajur Pak.
Her family was overjoyed. “As a doctor, I had doubts about the safety of TAVR for my grandmother, but Dr Rao’s expertise and constant support eased our concerns,” said her granddaughter Dr. Mita Gala. “Seeing her enjoy the wedding rituals with enthusiasm was truly a blessing.”
Bhanbai Gala’s story highlights the transformative potential of advanced medical technology like TAVR. It offers a beacon of hope for elderly patients seeking a better quality of life to experience their joyful occasions to the fullest.
In India, the number of TAVI Procedures, is increasing year by year since its first use in 2011. With the prevalence of 7.3% for isolated aortic stenosis, an estimated TAVI–eligible population is roughly about 300,000 people.
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