By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, May 28: Supercare Hospital has achieved a significant medical breakthrough by successfully performing the Meghalaya’s first Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) on a 74-year-old woman from Sohra.
The patient was diagnosed with severe aortic valve stenosis—a life-threatening condition where the heart’s aortic valve narrows and fails to function properly due to age-related degeneration.
The procedure was led by Interventional Cardiologist Dr. Synrang Batngen Warjri, assisted by Cardiologist Dr. Amethyst Bamon, Anaesthetist Dr. Bordoloi and the hospital’s cardiac team.
Traditionally, patients with this condition require open-heart surgery, which involves opening the chest and a lengthy recovery period.
TAVI offers a revolutionary, minimally invasive alternative where a replacement valve is inserted through a small puncture in the groin and guided to the heart via blood vessels.
Doctors noted that because the procedure is performed under sedation and avoids major surgery, it results in faster recovery, minimal scarring and shorter hospital stays.
In this case, the puncture wound was smaller than a one-rupee coin, allowing the patient to be discharged within two days.
Speaking to reporters, Dr. Warjri described the achievement as a landmark moment for cardiac care in Meghalaya. He stated that TAVI provides a safer option for elderly and high-risk patients who are often unfit for conventional surgery.
Dr. Warjri added that the availability of advanced cardiac interventions within the state would significantly reduce the burden on patients who previously had to travel outside the region for specialised treatment.
Hospital officials have, meanwhile, expressed hope that this success would pave the way for more advanced cardiac procedures in the state.
Dr. Synrang Batngen Warjri also expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Joy Shome, a renowned TAVI expert from Kolkata, for his invaluable support and guidance during this landmark procedure. He acknowledged Dr. Shome’s willingness to travel to Meghalaya and share his expertise, which played a significant role in the successful completion of the state’s first Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI). Dr. Warjri noted that such collaborations are vital in bringing advanced cardiac interventions to the region and strengthening the capabilities of local healthcare teams.
