CaRi-heart technology
Revolutionary new technology to assess the risk of a serious heart condition or heart attack – many years before anything happens.
Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI)
- No.1 in the UK for private cardiac care
- Five hospitals and 15 diagnostic centres
- Appointments in as little as 24 hours
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TRANSCATHETER AORTIC VALVE IMPLANTATION (TAVI) AT HCA UK
Why choose us?
We’re the UK’s No.1 for cardiac care. Each year, more than 36,000 patients entrust us with their heart health.
We offer fast access to our expert cardiac consultants, who are supported by a highly skilled team of doctors, surgeons, clinical nurses and physiotherapists. Our network of state-of-the-art facilities includes five cardiac centres and six cardiac theatres, where our dedicated teams will care for you before, during and after your TAVI procedure.
We offer fast access to our expert cardiac consultants, who are supported by a highly skilled team of doctors, surgeons, clinical nurses and physiotherapists. Our network of state-of-the-art facilities includes five cardiac centres and six cardiac theatres, where our dedicated teams will care for you before, during and after your TAVI procedure.
A Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) is a minimally invasive alternative to open heart surgery. It’s used to treat aortic stenosis (a narrowing of the aortic valve). Your consultant may recommend TAVI if they feel that conventional open-heart surgery isn't the right option for you.
The procedure involves inserting an artificial valve into your heart using a catheter. Most artificial valves are made using bovine (cow) or porcine (pig) tissue. A small (1cm) incision is made in your groin, through which the catheter enters your body. Your surgeon uses the catheter to guide the replacement heart valve into place.
It’s important to remember that the benefits depend on the severity of your aortic stenosis, your age and your overall health.
The benefits can include:
The benefits can include:
- Shorter hospital stay compared to open-heart surgery
- Quicker recovery compared to open-heart surgery
- An improvement in symptoms of breathlessness, chest pain and dizziness
- Reduced risk of developing heart failure
We recommend TAVI for patients with aortic stenosis, as an alternative to conventional open-heart surgery. Your consultant will let you know if the procedure is the best option for you.
36,000+
Cardiac patients treated every year
99%
Success rate across all cardiac surgery
250+
Cardiology consultants for you to choose from
Next-day appointments
See a specialist and get on the path to an expert diagnosis in as little as 24 hours
State-of-the-art diagnostics
With results in as little as 48 hours
Wide-ranging expertise across the UK
Choose from locations in London and Birmingham
TRANSCATHETER AORTIC VALVE IMPLANTATION (TAVI)
What to expect
From the moment you step through the door, until you’re ready to leave, we want you to feel as comfortable and reassured as possible.
One of the ways we can put you at ease is to let you know what to expect at each stage.
If you have any questions that aren’t answered here, or in the FAQ section below, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Our team will be happy to help in any way they can.
One of the ways we can put you at ease is to let you know what to expect at each stage.
If you have any questions that aren’t answered here, or in the FAQ section below, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Our team will be happy to help in any way they can.
01
Initial consultation
Whether you’ve self-referred to us or have a referral from your GP, the first step is always an initial consultation with one of our cardiac specialists.
At this appointment, your consultant will ask about your medical history and arrange any necessary investigative diagnostic tests.
02
Tests and scans
At HCA UK, you’ll have access to the UK’s most comprehensive private diagnostics network. All our tests and scans are carried out in our state-of-the-art facilities by our expert teams.
Your consultant may refer you to have one of more of the following:
- Blood tests
- Electrocardiogram (ECG)
- Echocardiogram
- Coronary angiogram
- CT scan
- X-ray
- Transoesophageal echocardiogram
These will let your consultant view your heart in more detail so they can make a diagnosis and decide whether a TAVI is the best procedure for you.
They’ll explain the procedure to you, ensuring you're aware of every detail so you know what to expect, and answer any questions you may have.
You’ll also be given information on what you need to do to prepare for your TAVI procedure.
03
The procedure
TAVI is usually performed under light sedation with local anaesthetic, so you'll be slightly drowsy and pain-free throughout the procedure. Your consultant will insert a flexible tube (a delivery catheter) through a small cut, which is usually in your groin.
The catheter is then passed towards the heart and through the opening of the narrowed aortic valve. A small balloon may be inflated to open your aortic valve and make room for the artificial valve. This new valve is expanded to fit in place of the old, narrowed valve. The whole procedure typically takes from one to two hours.
04
Post procedure
The recovery time for TAVI is generally much faster than for conventional open-heart surgery. You'll be cared for in hospital for as long as your recovery requires, but most patients go home within two days following the procedure.
You can expect some discomfort and will be given pain relief medication. It may take up to four weeks to fully recover, but your consultant will let you know when you can get back to your usual routine, including work and exercise.
You’ll have a follow-up consultation six weeks after the procedure so your consultant can check on your progress and decide if you need any follow-on care.
Locations
Choose from our five state-of-the-art facilities in London and Birmingham for your TAVI procedure. Our private hospitals have a higher proportion of 'Outstanding' ratings from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) than any other private healthcare group in the UK.
London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street SE1 2PR London
The Harborne Hospital
Mindelsohn Way B15 2TQ Birmingham
The Harley Street Clinic
35 Weymouth Street W1G 8BJ London
Accessing private health care
Self-pay
You don’t need health insurance to be seen quickly. If you’re looking for a diagnosis or treatment and don’t want to wait, all our private healthcare services – from private GP appointments through to surgery and aftercare – can be paid for as and when you need them.
And to give you peace of mind from the start, we’ll offer you a clear and transparent quote outlining exactly what’s included in your self-pay package.
TAVI FAQs
If you're having general anaesthetic or sedation, your consultant will tell you how long you should avoid eating and drinking for.
It’s a good idea to organise transport to and from the hospital in advance. If you live alone, you might want to arrange for someone to look after you during your recovery.
It’s a good idea to organise transport to and from the hospital in advance. If you live alone, you might want to arrange for someone to look after you during your recovery.
Most of our patients find that their symptoms improve after the procedure and they have a better quality of life, as they’re experiencing less chest pain and breathlessness.
Usually, patients can return to their normal lives within a few weeks of having a TAVI. To find out more and whether you’re suitable for the procedure, please book a consultation with one of our specialists.
Usually, patients can return to their normal lives within a few weeks of having a TAVI. To find out more and whether you’re suitable for the procedure, please book a consultation with one of our specialists.
The main benefit of TAVI is that the recovery time is much shorter than that of open-heart surgery. Generally, most patients are up and about within four to six hours after the procedure, and some are discharged the next day.
It’s normal to feel a bit sore after the procedure but most patients are back to normal activities within a few weeks, with improved exercise tolerance almost immediately.
You’ll have a follow-up appointment with your consultant four to six weeks after the procedure so they can check on your progress and decide if you need any follow-on care.
It’s normal to feel a bit sore after the procedure but most patients are back to normal activities within a few weeks, with improved exercise tolerance almost immediately.
You’ll have a follow-up appointment with your consultant four to six weeks after the procedure so they can check on your progress and decide if you need any follow-on care.
More research is needed before we can give an exact period of time. However, most TAVIs are still in a good condition 10 years on from the procedure.
Although TAVI is minimally invasive procedure and does not involve open heart surgery, like all procedures it carries risks. This is partly because of the procedure itself, and also because patients undergoing the procedure tend to be older and/or have other medical problems. Your consultant will explain these risks to you and answer any questions you may have, so you can decide whether you’d like to go ahead.
No, your heart isn’t stopped during the procedure. TAVI is minimally invasive procedure that typically takes one to two hours. You’ll usually be awake during the procedure, but you won’t feel any pain as you’ll be given local anaesthetic and sedation.
A stent has a different function to a TAVI. While a TAVI is used to treat patients with aortic stenosis and replaces a heart valve, a stent is used to treat blocked or narrowed arteries, providing structural support to the arteries.
You can read about stent surgery here.
You can read about stent surgery here.
Our patients’ stories
How a valve replacement helped Steve breathe easy again
When Steve found out his breathlessness was caused by a narrowed aortic valve, he was terrified of the thought of the open-heart surgery that might be needed to treat it. But with the expertise of Professor Sagar Doshi at The Harborne Hospital, he learned he could have a ‘keyhole’ alternative called TAVI.
Andrew's atrial fibrillation story
"I immediately felt something was not right and stopped swimming. I didn’t have pain, but had palpitations and a shortness of breath. After a while, my heart settled down."
Susan's journey to heart health
A family history of cardiac issues and annual check-ups unveiled a series of new conditions.
“Professor Doshi discussed my case with heart surgeons and decided open-heart surgery would’ve been too dangerous for me, so I was offered a TAVI procedure. I’m now walking 5,000 or 6,000 steps a day. It’s been life changing.”
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This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.