Jammu, May 18:
In a major leap forward for advanced healthcare in the Union Territory, the Department of Cardiology at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Jammu has successfully performed its first Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI). This landmark achievement marks a monumental shift in the region’s interventional cardiology capabilities, bringing world-class cardiac care directly to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
The Patient and the Medical Challenge
The lifesaving procedure was performed on a 74-year-old male patient diagnosed with critical aortic stenosis—a severe narrowing of the aortic valve that drastically restricts blood flow from the heart. Left untreated, this condition carries an exceptionally high risk of sudden cardiac death.
Given the patient’s advanced age and the severe surgical risks associated with conventional open-heart surgery, a multidisciplinary “Heart Team” thoroughly evaluated the case. Respecting the patient’s preference for a non-surgical alternative, the team opted for the advanced, minimally invasive TAVI procedure.
Meet the Expert Medical Team
The seamless execution of this complex procedure required precision and intense inter-departmental collaboration:
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Primary Cardiology Team: Dr. Mayank Saini (Assistant Professor) and Dr. Zubair Farooq (Assistant Professor), Department of Cardiology, AIIMS Jammu.
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Cardiac Anesthesia Support: Led by Dr. Slomi Gupta, ensuring maximum patient comfort and safety.
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Surgical Backup: Provided by the Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery (CTVS) team, led by Dr. Sartaj Ahmad Guroo, standing by to guarantee zero-error execution.
Affordable Healthcare: Supported by Ayushman Bharat
Demonstrating the growing accessibility of high-end medical therapies, this expensive, cutting-edge procedure was performed with financial support from the Ayushman Bharat scheme, bringing immense relief to the patient’s family. The patient is currently recovering excellently and has shown remarkable clinical improvement.
Why TAVI Changes Everything for J&K
Traditionally, patients suffering from complex structural heart diseases in Jammu and Kashmir had to face the emotional and financial burden of traveling to metro cities outside the Union Territory for specialized care.
TAVI avoids conventional open-heart surgery by inserting an artificial heart valve through a catheter, usually routed via a blood vessel in the leg. This technique is a game-changer for elderly individuals and high-risk patients who cannot withstand major open-chest surgery.
AIIMS Jammu: A Rapidly Growing Cardiac Powerhouse
The successful TAVI procedure is just one of many feathers in the cap of the institute’s rapidly expanding Cardiology department. Since the commissioning of its state-of-the-art Cath Lab, the department has completed nearly 200 complex cardiac interventions, including:
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Electrophysiology Workshop: Recently conducted EPS and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) procedures for complex heart rhythm disorders—a service rarely available in the region.
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Complex Angioplasties: Left Main Coronary Artery angioplasty and IVUS-guided PCI in heavily calcified lesions.
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Mechanical Support: Mechanical circulatory support-assisted PCI for life-threatening conditions in patients turned away by other centers as “too high-risk.”
Leadership Speak: World-Class Care, Closer to Home
Congratulating the medical teams on this stellar achievement, Prof. (Dr.) D.N. Sharma, Executive Director and CEO of AIIMS Jammu, reiterated the institute’s core vision.
“AIIMS Jammu remains deeply committed to providing world-class healthcare services and advanced treatment facilities directly to the people of Jammu and Kashmir, closer to home. This successful milestone reflects our vision to eliminate the need for patients to travel outside the UT for life-saving procedures.”
— Prof. (Dr.) D.N. Sharma, ED & CEO
With plans already underway to further expand the entire spectrum of modern interventional cardiology, AIIMS Jammu is fast cementing its status as the premier healthcare destination in Northern India.
