Andria Hospital Bonomo Performs First TAVI Implants Without Cardio‑Surgery

The Cardiology unit of Hospital Bonomo in Andria, directed by Dr. Francesco Bartolomucci, joined a national experimental project led by the University of Ferrara involving 20 centres across Italy. In the first two procedures, the team implanted transcatheter aortic valve prostheses (TAVI) in very elderly patients with severe aortic stenosis, using a percutaneous femoral approach and local anesthesia, despite the absence of an on‑site cardio‑surgery department.

Dr. Bartolomucci said, “Oggi in Italia la TAVI è utilizzata in centri dotati anche di Cardiochirurgia, mentre nel progetto sperimentale guidato dall’Università di Ferrara l’intervento è possibile pur in assenza di Cardiochirurgia.” The patients are recovering well and undergoing cardiac rehabilitation. The less‑invasive TAVI technique offers an alternative for patients who cannot tolerate open‑heart surgery and the successful outcomes are expected to have important implications for the wider adoption of the procedure in similar centres.