Patiala, Aug 11— Non-invasive procedures are proving highly effective for serious heart valve diseases, offering patients, especially the elderly, a chance to lead healthier lives without undergoing major surgery, said Dr. Rajneesh Kapoor, a senior cardiologist and Punjab Ratna awardee.
Speaking at a press conference on Sunday, Dr. Kapoor, Chairman of Interventional Cardiology at Medanta Hospital, introduced MitraClip, a cutting-edge device designed to treat mitral valve regurgitation—a condition where the heart’s mitral valve fails to close properly, causing blood to flow backward.
“Elderly patients with diseased valves often suffer greatly, but diseased heart valves can now be repaired without surgery, enabling patients to regain a healthy life,” Dr. Kapoor said.
Dr. Rajneesh Kapoor said, “The maximum cost for these advanced non-invasive heart valve procedures is around ₹15 lakh. It is important for people to be aware of this so they can make informed decisions about their treatment options without fearing exorbitant expenses.”
“This treatment is especially suitable for elderly patients, allowing them to live a gentle and healthier life after the procedure.”
“The success rate of these non-invasive procedures is around 97 percent, offering patients a highly effective treatment option with minimal risks.”
He cited the case of 67-year-old Pushpendra Garg, who experienced severe breathlessness and fatigue and could not undergo a second open-heart surgery after a previous aortic valve replacement. Following treatment with MitraClip, Garg reported complete recovery and return to normal activities.
Dr. Kapoor explained, “In the MitraClip procedure, a catheter is threaded through a vein to the mitral valve, where a clip is placed to reduce regurgitation—all without opening the chest. This advanced technology represents the new generation of MitraClip and offers precision treatment.”
He noted several benefits of MitraClip, including avoidance of open-heart surgery, shorter recovery time, and effective relief from symptoms such as fatigue and bloating.
Addressing aortic stenosis, Dr. Kapoor said it is the most common heart valve disease worldwide, affecting about one million patients annually. Previously, treatment involved open-heart aortic valve replacement, but many elderly patients remain untreated due to surgical risks.
“Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) is a minimally invasive procedure performed through a catheter that replaces the aortic valve without full chest opening. Patients typically resume normal activities within three to four days,” he added.
Dr. Kapoor stressed the need to raise awareness about these innovative techniques to help improve patient outcomes and quality of life across Punjab and beyond.
Non-invasive techniques are medical procedures that diagnose or treat health conditions without the need to make large cuts or open the body surgically. Instead of traditional surgery that involves cutting through skin and tissues, non-invasive methods use tools like catheters, imaging devices, or external equipment to access or treat internal organs with minimal or no physical intrusion.
For example, in heart valve diseases, non-invasive techniques include procedures like:
- MitraClip: A catheter-based method to repair the mitral valve by placing a clip without opening the chest.
- TAVR (Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement): Replaces the aortic valve via a catheter inserted through a blood vessel, avoiding open-heart surgery.
These techniques generally reduce risks, shorten recovery times, and cause less pain and complications compared to traditional surgery.
