A Historic First in Côte d’Ivoire: Abidjan Heart Institute Successfully Performs Two Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantations (TAVI)

The Abidjan Heart Institute (ICA), Côte d’Ivoire’s leading cardiology referral center, successfully performed the country's first-ever Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) procedures on June 18 and 19, 2026.

This groundbreaking achievement was led by Roland N'Guetta, Director of Research, Innovation and Training at ICA, with scientific and technical support from Medtronic and its local distributor Médikacare.

This marks not only a first for Côte d’Ivoire but also the first time that Medtronic has supported a medical team in Sub-Saharan Africa in performing this highly specialized procedure.

The dual milestone strengthens ICA’s position on the path toward regional excellence and fulfills a long-standing ambition to establish Abidjan as a leading hub for interventional cardiology in Africa.

A Highly Advanced Procedure Now Available in Abidjan

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) is a cutting-edge procedure used to replace a diseased aortic valve without the need for open-heart surgery. The replacement valve is delivered through a catheter inserted into the arterial system and precisely positioned at the affected valve site.

This sophisticated technique is available in only a limited number of medical centers worldwide and requires advanced infrastructure, including CT scanning, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), cardiac surgery backup, and highly specialized expertise.

The two patients treated at ICA presented complex forms of aortic valve disease, requiring an exceptional level of procedural mastery. The interventions were conducted under the supervision of international proctor Kamel Boughalem, appointed by Medtronic, in accordance with the highest standards of the global medical device industry.

Decisive Government Support

The successful implementation of these pioneering procedures was made possible through the strong commitment of the Ivorian authorities. TAVI is among the most expensive procedures in modern cardiology, and making it accessible to patients in Côte d’Ivoire would not have been possible without determined institutional support.

This achievement represents a major step forward for the country's healthcare system and highlights Côte d’Ivoire’s growing capacity to deliver world-class medical care locally.