Almaty Clinic Performs Aortic Valve Replacements Without General Anesthesia

Almaty's City Cardiology Center has carried out two aortic valve replacements without general anesthesia. The procedures involved elderly patients, aged 72 and 77, both suffering from severe aortic stenosis. This minimally invasive approach marks another step in the clinic's growing experience with such surgeries.

The operations were transcatheter aortic valve implantations (TAVI), a technique the center has used for over three years. Since 2023, more than 80 similar procedures have been completed there. Dr. med. Torsten Kurz led the latest interventions, which relied on X-ray and ultrasound guidance to position the new valve via the femoral artery.

Both patients remained conscious during surgery. This method lowers the risk of complications and speeds up recovery compared to traditional open-heart procedures. Interventional cardiologist Orazbek Sakhov stressed that early treatment is crucial for severe aortic stenosis, as untreated cases can cause permanent heart damage by overworking the heart muscle.

The condition forces the heart to pump harder, often leading to irreversible harm if not addressed promptly. The center's use of TAVI offers a safer option for high-risk patients, particularly the elderly.

The successful surgeries highlight the clinic's advancing expertise in minimally invasive heart treatments. Patients who undergo TAVI without general anesthesia typically face fewer risks and recover faster. The center continues to expand its capacity for such life-saving procedures.