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Aortic root surgery
- No.1 in the UK for private cardiac care
- Appointments in as little as 24 hours
- 99% of our cardiac patients would recommend us to friends and family
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AORTIC ROOT SURGERY AT HCA UK
Why choose us?
If you need surgery on your aortic root, you want to know it will be carried out to the very highest standards. At HCA UK, you can be sure you’re in safe hands, because you’ll be assessed and treated by one of our highly specialised cardiac surgeons with expertise in aortic surgery. Their skill, experience and access to state-of-the-art technology are part of what makes us the most trusted provider of private healthcare in the country.
Over 99% of our patients would happily recommend us to family and friends, because we treat every single patient with care, compassion and expertise. We’re here to help you.
Over 99% of our patients would happily recommend us to family and friends, because we treat every single patient with care, compassion and expertise. We’re here to help you.
Your aorta is the largest artery in your body. It carries oxygen-rich blood at high pressure directly from your heart around your whole body, including all your vital organs.
Your aortic root is the first part of your aorta, which attaches to the left ventricle of your heart. It includes important structures such as your aortic valve, and the origins of the coronary arteries which supply the muscle of your heart with all the blood it needs.
Aortic root surgery replaces your aortic root with a small piece of synthetic tube called a graft, and your surgeon may also replace your aortic valve with an artificial one as part of the same procedure.
Your aortic root is the first part of your aorta, which attaches to the left ventricle of your heart. It includes important structures such as your aortic valve, and the origins of the coronary arteries which supply the muscle of your heart with all the blood it needs.
Aortic root surgery replaces your aortic root with a small piece of synthetic tube called a graft, and your surgeon may also replace your aortic valve with an artificial one as part of the same procedure.
A common reason for this surgery is if the size of your aortic root is enlarged or dilated, sometimes referred to as an aneurysm. As the size of your aorta increases, its wall gets weaker. That makes it more likely to burst (rupture) or tear (dissect), both of which are life-threatening conditions.
Your aortic root can get bigger on its own, but enlargement can frequently be caused by diseases of the aortic valve such as bicuspid aortic valve, and genetic diseases which affect blood vessels, such as Marfan’s Syndrome.
There are rare conditions that can require aortic root surgery, including infection (endocarditis) and inflammatory conditions. If you’re having a procedure to have your aortic valve replaced and your surgeon feels your aortic root is relatively small, they might decide to enlarge it at that time.
Your surgeon will use their extensive clinic experience and evidence-based international guidelines on aortic diseases to help develop your treatment plan.
Your aortic root can get bigger on its own, but enlargement can frequently be caused by diseases of the aortic valve such as bicuspid aortic valve, and genetic diseases which affect blood vessels, such as Marfan’s Syndrome.
There are rare conditions that can require aortic root surgery, including infection (endocarditis) and inflammatory conditions. If you’re having a procedure to have your aortic valve replaced and your surgeon feels your aortic root is relatively small, they might decide to enlarge it at that time.
Your surgeon will use their extensive clinic experience and evidence-based international guidelines on aortic diseases to help develop your treatment plan.
We have a 99% success rate for all our cardiac procedures, making us one of the safest places to have your aortic root surgery. Our highly skilled cardiac surgical consultants are among the best in the country. They have access to the very latest diagnostic techniques and technology and are supported by dedicated multidisciplinary clinical teams.
36,000+
Cardiac patients treated every year
99%
Success rate across all cardiac surgery
250+
Cardiology consultants for you to choose from
Rapid access to tests and scans
See a specialist and get on the path to an expert diagnosis in as little as 24 hours.
State-of-the-art facilities
Access innovative treatment options.
Wide-reaching expertise across the UK
Visit any of our 15 dedicated diagnostic centres in London, Manchester and Birmingham.
YOUR AORTIC ROOT SURGERY
What to expect
If you have been diagnosed with an aortic root or ascending aortic problem, you deserve to have your assessment and surgery carried out by a leading cardiac surgeon and to be cared for a by a specialised team.
Your consultant will use the very latest technology and techniques to treat you, and you’ll be informed about every detail of your specific procedure, but this should give you a good idea of what to expect from the process.
Your consultant will use the very latest technology and techniques to treat you, and you’ll be informed about every detail of your specific procedure, but this should give you a good idea of what to expect from the process.
01
Consultation
The first step is to talk to one of our cardiac surgical consultants. They’ll ask you about your overall health, medical history and any medication you’re taking. The consultation will also cover your specific symptoms, discuss any previous or ongoing cardiac care and review any investigations you’ve already had. You’ll be fully informed about the risks and benefits of your treatment and get a chance to ask questions or raise any concerns. Then your consultant will arrange any additional tests you need before the surgery itself.
02
Tests and scans
Your consultant needs to thoroughly assess you, so you’ll have several tests and scans before any surgery. These will include an echocardiogram (an ultrasound scan of your heart), CT scan, an ECG (electrocardiogram) and blood tests. You may also require other more specific tests, depending on your condition.
You’ll have a follow-up appointment with your consultant, where they’ll explain your test results in detail, and how they affect your specific surgical procedure.
You’ll have a follow-up appointment with your consultant, where they’ll explain your test results in detail, and how they affect your specific surgical procedure.
03
The surgery itself
Your surgery is done under a general anaesthetic. You’ll be connected to a heart-lung machine (cardiopulmonary bypass) which keeps your blood circulating while your aneurysmal or diseased aorta is removed and replaced with a synthetic tube. Your coronary arteries are then reattached to that synthetic tube, which is reconnected to your own aorta.
If you have a diseased aortic root but your aortic valve functions normally, a Personalised External Aortic Root Support (PEARS) procedure might be recommended. This puts a bespoke aortic mesh around your aorta to prevent it from tearing.
Once your surgery is finished, temporary drainage tubes are left in your chest and your incisions are closed.
If you have a diseased aortic root but your aortic valve functions normally, a Personalised External Aortic Root Support (PEARS) procedure might be recommended. This puts a bespoke aortic mesh around your aorta to prevent it from tearing.
Once your surgery is finished, temporary drainage tubes are left in your chest and your incisions are closed.
04
Recovery and aftercare
Aortic root surgery is major surgery, and so you’ll be transferred to intensive care when your surgery’s over. As soon as you’re well enough, we’ll take you back to your comfortable private room, and you’ll need to stay in hospital for several days as you gradually recover. Your consultant and clinical team will monitor your progress very carefully, to ensure your heart’s functioning properly, and to administer any medication you might need.
In most cases, you should be able to go home after around a week, but you’ll need to arrange for someone to take you home as you won’t be able to drive.
Your consultant will also arrange for regular follow-up appointments to monitor your progress and make sure every step is being taken to smooth your recovery.
In most cases, you should be able to go home after around a week, but you’ll need to arrange for someone to take you home as you won’t be able to drive.
Your consultant will also arrange for regular follow-up appointments to monitor your progress and make sure every step is being taken to smooth your recovery.
Where can I get aortic root surgery?
You can get expert diagnosis, treatment and help with your recovery from one of four dedicated HCA UK hospitals in London and Birmingham.
The Harley Street Clinic
35 Weymouth Street W1G 8BJ London
London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street SE1 2PR London
The Wellington Hospital
8A Wellington Place St John's Wood NW8 9LE 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.
Aortic root surgery FAQ
Your consultant will talk you through your procedure in detail to help you prepare, including the tests and scans you’ll need before the surgery itself. They might advise you to wear some specific clothing to make sure you’re comfortably dressed for your recovery and journey home, and they’ll give you advice on when to stop eating and drinking beforehand.
Aortic root surgery is open-heart surgery, so you’ll be transferred to a cardiac intensive care unit immediately after your procedure, where your team will closely monitor your progress to ensure everything’s gone well. Then you’ll be transferred to your private room in a high-dependency or cardiac ward. You should be able to go home after about a week.
Total recovery should take around three months, with regular check-ups to monitor your progress. You will be able to slowly return to normal activities over that time, but your consultant will give you specific details about your recovery, tailored to your procedure.
Total recovery should take around three months, with regular check-ups to monitor your progress. You will be able to slowly return to normal activities over that time, but your consultant will give you specific details about your recovery, tailored to your procedure.
Any surgery has some risks, including infection, bleeding, or your graft failing or needing to be replaced, but aortic root surgery is common and very safe. Your consultant will talk you through your procedure in detail before it happens.
Our patients’ stories
"Time is of the essence with my heart, as I have diabetes"
Saleem, 57, keeps an active lifestyle to remain fit and healthy. He plays badminton once a week and goes for a walk in the morning and evening every day. Despite having type 2 diabetes, he continues to have a balanced and energetic life.
Tod's story
For Tod, 59, an investment banker with 37 years’ experience working in the city, there was nothing to suggest that there was anything wrong with his health. Incredibly active and cycling 30 miles daily each way on his commute, it was only when he went for a health check that something alarming appeared.
Treating Helaina's heart rhythm disorder
Helaina from Northamptonshire was just 16 when she began experiencing unusual symptoms, including shortness of breath and heart palpitations, which rapidly worsened. She was otherwise fit, healthy and a huge lover of the great outdoors, leading to her family to grow concerned.
“I knew that if I wanted the best outcome, I needed to go to the best place. The Harley Street Clinic had outstanding ratings and some of the top cardiologists.”
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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.