A “GAME-changing” heart-valve replacement procedure is now available in Canberra. 

Patients will no longer have to travel to Sydney or Newcastle to access this alternative to open-heart surgery. 

Dr Ahmad Farshid, interventional cardiologist at National Capital Private Hospital, began the Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) program in August. 

He said that TAVI was a minimally invasive procedure that involved replacing the aortic valve in the heart. Traditionally, heart valve replacement required major, open-heart surgery. 

“The TAVI procedure is an excellent option for older and higher-risk patients who can avoid open-heart surgery and instead have a heart valve replaced by a catheter inserted through the artery in the leg,” said Dr Farshid. 

“Importantly, the procedure is minimally invasive and most patients are up and about the next day.” 

Derek Budd, 89, of Bungendore, was the first patient to locally undergo the TAVI procedure. Since Mr then, another two patients have undergone the procedure, with three more patients booked in over coming weeks.