UMC specialists became the first Kazakhstani proctors in India

02.02.2024

During a business trip to India, the doctors of the UMC Heart Center performed the aortic valve implantation TAVI procedure at the Apex Heart Institute, Ahmedabad. The Center's team included Yuriy Pya, Chairman of the Board of the University Medical Center, Abdurashid Mussayev, head of the catheterization laboratory and Serik Alimbayev, an interventional cardiologist. They conducted an examination and successfully installed an artificial valve in three patients over 70 years old with progressive stenosis (narrowing) of the aortic valve. The doctors became the first Kazakhstani specialists who performed the procedure in India as mentors, which indicates recognition of the high qualifications of the UMC Heart Center team and trust from foreign colleagues.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is a minimally invasive procedure to replace the valve located between the left ventricle of the heart and the aorta. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia by inserting a catheter through the femoral artery. Implantation does not require an incision of the chest, which contributes to rapid recovery. This procedure is optimal for elderly patients with concomitant diseases.

Since 2022, eight delegations consisting of more than 50 interventional cardiologists from Indian clinics have visited the UMC Heart Center. On the basis of the clinic, the guests participated in master classes and internships at the International Training Center, learned practical experience in the safe performance of TAVI, patient selection, implementation of ECMO, and also participated in complex hybrid operations together with cardiac surgeons. The international cooperation provided an opportunity for the UMC team to act as mentors and perform successful procedures at the Indian clinic.

The Center's specialists also visited the Narayana Health clinic in Bangalore, got acquainted with the structure and features of the clinical work of foreign colleagues, shared impressions and plans for further development of cooperation between the clinics.

For reference

Specialists of the UMC Heart Center introduced the TAVI procedure in Kazakhstan in 2012 and have performed more than 900 valve implantations to date. Since 2020, the clinic has been operating an International Training Center for the exchange of experience with Kazakhstani and foreign colleagues. Over 130 medical specialists from Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Georgia, Armenia, Iran, Nepal, Russia, Romania and Azerbaijan have already successfully completed the training.