First transcatheter aortic valve implantation in Senegal brings new hope to heart patients: Video
Senegal has marked a major milestone in cardiovascular medicine after successfully performing its first transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) on Monday, December 8, at the main hospital in Dakar.
The landmark procedure was carried out by cardiologist Dr Serigne Cheikh Tidiane Ndao, who described the moment as “a great source of pride.”
“We are very happy. As you just saw, we have just completed the first TAVI valve implantation in Senegal. It is a great source of pride,” Dr Ndao said, noting that the achievement comes after two years of intensive preparation and collaboration among specialists.
TAVI is a minimally invasive procedure used to replace a narrowed aortic valve that fails to open properly, a condition known as aortic stenosis. It is often recommended for elderly patients or those with high-risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, or age-related degeneration of heart valves, which typically causes shortness of breath and fatigue.
The intervention was led by Lieutenant Colonel Mouhamed Cherif Mboup and his team, who emphasised that this development places Senegal among a growing number of African countries adopting advanced life-saving cardiac technologies.
The successful procedure signals a new chapter for cardiovascular care in the country and offers fresh hope to patients who previously had limited treatment options.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
