Level A Evidence

4 Treatment Options Available

Heart Valve Disease

Q: Should I choose TAVI or surgical valve replacement?

TAVI is preferred for high-risk and intermediate-risk patients, typically older adults. Surgical AVR remains gold standard for low-risk patients, especially younger patients who may need future redo procedures. Heart team will recommend optimal approach.

Q: How long does a tissue valve last?

Tissue (bioprosthetic) valves typically last 10-15 years. Longevity depends on patient age (younger patients have faster valve degeneration). Mechanical valves last indefinitely but require lifelong anticoagulation.

Q: Is mitral valve repair better than replacement?

Yes, when technically feasible. Repair preserves the native valve apparatus, resulting in better heart function, lower risk of complications, and no need for lifelong anticoagulation. Expert centers achieve >95% repair rates for degenerative mitral disease.

Valve Repair & Replacement: TAVI/TAVR, Mitral Repair

Heart valve disease affects millions worldwide. When valves become too narrow (stenosis) or leaky (regurgitation), they must be repaired or replaced. Our partner centers offer the full spectrum of valve treatments—from percutaneous TAVI for high-risk aortic stenosis patients to complex mitral valve repair and minimally invasive surgical approaches.

Condition Overview

Conditions We Treat

Aortic StenosisAortic RegurgitationMitral StenosisMitral RegurgitationTricuspid Disease

Core Technologies

TAVI/TAVR | Transcatheter mitral repair (MitraClip) | Minimally invasive valve surgery | Robotic valve surgery | Valve-in-valve procedures

适宜人群

•Complex mitral valve repair (Barlow's disease)
•Redo valve surgery
•High-risk TAVI candidates
•Multivalve disease
•Valve-in-valve procedures

High-volume valve centers with >500 valve operations/year

建议在本地考虑

•Standard-risk TAVI procedures
•Routine aortic valve replacement
•Stable valve disease on surveillance
•Cases with experienced local valve team

Straightforward cases with good local cardiac surgery team

Evidence: Partner centers >500 valve surgeries/year; 95% repair rate for suitable mitral regurgitation; TAVI success rate >98%.

Treatment Options

TAVI/TAVR (Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation)

介入

适合：Severe aortic stenosis, high or intermediate surgical risk

技术： transfemoral or transapical approach, self-expanding or balloon-expandable valve

优势：No open heart surgery, 1-2 day stay, quick recovery

1-2 daysFrom $18,000

>500 TAVI/year at top centers

Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement (SAVR)

手术

适合：Severe aortic stenosis/regurgitation, low surgical risk

技术：Mechanical or bioprosthetic valve, minimally invasive approach available

优势：Durable solution, gold standard for low-risk patients

7-10 daysFrom $12,000

High-volume valve surgery centers

Mitral Valve Repair

手术

适合：Mitral regurgitation (degenerative or functional)

技术：Annuloplasty, leaflet repair, chordal replacement, minimally invasive

优势：Preserves native valve, better outcomes than replacement

7-10 daysFrom $15,000

95% repair rate for suitable cases

Transcatheter Mitral Valve Repair (MitraClip)

介入

适合：High-risk mitral regurgitation, poor surgical candidate

技术：Percutaneous edge-to-edge repair via femoral vein

优势：No surgery, 2-3 day stay, symptom improvement

2-3 daysFrom $20,000

Specialized structural heart centers

费用对比

Aortic Valve Replacement (Surgical or TAVI)

US Hospital$75,000

UK Private$55,000

MediLink China$18,000

Save 76% vs US • Includes: procedure, valve prosthesis, 7-10 day hospital stay

计算费用

治疗流程

Evaluation• Week 1

Comprehensive echocardiography (TTE/TEE)
Cardiac CT for TAVI planning
Coronary angiography
Multidisciplinary heart team discussion

Procedure & Recovery• Week 2

TAVI: 1-day procedure, next-day discharge possible
Surgical: 2-3 hour operation, ICU overnight
Anticoagulation management
Echo confirmation of valve function

Follow-up• Months 1-12

Anticoagulation if mechanical valve
Endocarditis prophylaxis education
Regular echo monitoring
Activity restriction gradual return

Clinical Outcomes

TAVI Success

>98%

technical success

Mitral Repair Rate

95%

suitable cases

30-Day Mortality

<2%

isolated valve surgery

5-Year Freedom from Reoperation

90%

valve repair

常见问题

Should I choose TAVI or surgical valve replacement?

TAVI is preferred for high-risk and intermediate-risk patients, typically older adults. Surgical AVR remains gold standard for low-risk patients, especially younger patients who may need future redo procedures. Heart team will recommend optimal approach.

How long does a tissue valve last?

Tissue (bioprosthetic) valves typically last 10-15 years. Longevity depends on patient age (younger patients have faster valve degeneration). Mechanical valves last indefinitely but require lifelong anticoagulation.

Is mitral valve repair better than replacement?

Yes, when technically feasible. Repair preserves the native valve apparatus, resulting in better heart function, lower risk of complications, and no need for lifelong anticoagulation. Expert centers achieve >95% repair rates for degenerative mitral disease.

What is valve-in-valve procedure?

Valve-in-valve is a TAVI procedure where a new valve is implanted inside a failing surgical bioprosthetic valve. This avoids redo open-heart surgery, especially valuable for high-risk patients.