Aortic stenosis makes the heart work harder to pump blood, rarely has symptoms, and can cause sudden death.
Demographic data shows that, like many countries in the world, the Brazilian population is ageing. This means that there is an increase in the number of elderly people and a decrease in the percentage of young people. This new population profile has an impact on public health policies, as many previously undetected diseases are becoming more common.
One of them is aortic stenosis, resulting from the degeneration and calcification of the aortic valve. The condition makes blood flow from the heart to the aorta difficult, impairing blood circulation. As a result, this forces the heart to work harder to pump blood.
aortic stenosis
According to interventional cardiologist and member of the Brazilian Society of Hemodynamics and Interventional Cardiology (SBHCI), Dr. Rogério Sarmento Leite, the condition affects 3% to 5% of the elderly Brazilian population (up to 1 million people).
The doctor explains that the stenosis can be secondary to several factors: acquired, congenital, autoimmune, infectious diseases, etc. It is sometimes treacherous and progresses rapidly after the onset of symptoms. Among the signs of the disease, Rogério indicates fatigue, fainting, pressure or pain in the chest and cardiac arrhythmia, which can also manifest itself in sudden death.
“Diagnosis is simple, rapid and made with data from a physical exam usually done in radiology consultations and confirmed by an echocardiogram. Treatment includes drugs that relieve symptoms, but severe cases require degenerated valve replacement techniques” , says the doctor.
TAVI
Conventional cardiac surgery with aortic valve replacement reduces symptoms and increases patient survival. However, it can have complications and high mortality rates. In this context, minimally invasive techniques have been developed. Transcatheter aortic valve bioprosthesis implantation, TAVI (Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation), for example, is already the preferred therapeutic option.
“It is a safe, effective procedure, performed by a multidisciplinary team and with local anesthesia. Through a needle puncture of an artery of the leg in the groin region, a biological tissue prosthesis mounted on a thin thick catheter is introduced implanted in the deteriorated valve seat”, specifies the cardiologist.
For the doctor, this is a historical fact. This is because it is a procedure that seeks to recover the frontier of innovation and start a new cycle in the treatment of highly complex cardiology in Brazil.
“This procedure was first performed in 2002, in France, and allows the replacement of the native valve through a procedure using a catheter, which is introduced through an arterial vascular access, usually in the patient’s groin, similar to a angioplasty with a coronary stent implant. A feature that makes it faster and safer for the elderly, with a social impact on the family and potentially on the public health system,” he stresses.
Brazil advances in the treatment of aortic stenosis in SUS
Although it was released in Brazil a decade and a half ago, the technique was only available in the private healthcare network. In 2021, it entered the health plan coverage list, and in 2022, it became available on SUS.
In the long period since its release, Brazilian Cardiology has carried out an important specialization and training work for TAVI, led by SBHCI through debates, symposia, training and courses.
“Today, Brazilian interventional cardiologists are among the most qualified and recognized specialists in the world for the implementation of TAVI, a technique that follows the modern trend of less invasive treatments, focusing on the safety and quality of life of the patient in the post-procedure” , says Dr. Ricardo Costa, president of SBHCI.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
