Structural Intervention

Structural interventions in cardiology involve minimally invasive procedures to treat various heart valve diseases and structural abnormalities. Three common procedures in this field are Balloon Intervention for Valve Disease, Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI), and the Watchman Procedure for Left Atrial Appendage Closure (LAAC).

1. Balloon Intervention for Valve Disease:
   • Procedure: Inflating a balloon-tipped catheter in a narrowed or leaking heart valve to improve blood flow or seal leaks.
   • Applications: Aortic or mitral stenosis, providing a less invasive option for certain patients.
2. Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI):
   • Procedure: Minimally invasive deployment of a prosthetic valve within the aortic valve to treat aortic stenosis.
   • Applications: Elderly or high-surgical-risk patients, offering reduced recovery times and avoiding sternotomy.
3. Watchman Procedure for Left Atrial Appendage Closure (LAAC):
   • Procedure: Implanting the Watchman device via catheter to seal off the left atrial appendage and reduce stroke risk in atrial fibrillation patients.
   • Applications: Alternative to long-term anticoagulant therapy, decreasing bleeding risks associated with AF treatment.