CaRi-heart technology
Revolutionary new technology to assess the risk of a serious heart condition or heart attack – many years before anything happens.
Minimally invasive cardiac 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***
MINIMALLY INVASIVE CARDIAC SURGERY AT HCA UK
Why choose us?
If you’re worried about your heart health, you’ll be in safe hands if you choose HCA UK. You can benefit from our highly personalised approach to care, delivered by some of the UK’s leading consultants. They’re part of a team who look after over 36,000 heart patients each year, which is more than any other UK private healthcare provider.
Our experienced teams have achieved a 99% success rate across all our cardiac surgery. It's why we’re the UK’s No.1 for private cardiac care and why 99% of our cardiac patients would recommend us to friends and family.
Minimally invasive heart surgery allows your cardiac surgeon to reach your heart area by making small incisions in your chest. They’ll either enter between your ribs or by dividing the upper part of your breastbone (sternum).
This second approach is known as a mini-sternotomy, and it’s commonly used for aortic valve or ascending aorta surgery. Mitral valve surgery to repair or replace a diseased mitral valve can also be performed as a minimally invasive procedure.
Types of minimally invasive heart surgery include endoscopic cardiac surgery, robotic-assisted heart surgery and thoracoscopic surgery and your consultant will advise which is best for your own situation and condition.
The big benefit of minimally invasive cardiac surgery is that you’ll have smaller incisions compared with traditional open-heart surgery. That means you’ll have less pain and usually experience a much faster recovery too, with less time in hospital and a quicker return to your everyday life.
Other benefits include:
- Lower risk of infection
- Less blood loss
- Less time on a ventilator
- Smaller scars
Endoscopic cardiac surgery takes these benefits a step further, requiring just a tiny 2.5cm incision in the side of your chest.
Our specialist surgical teams can treat many heart conditions and carry out a range of heart procedures using minimally invasive methods.
These include:
- Heart valve repair or replacement
- Surgery to remove tumours from your heart
- The closure of a hole in your heart, such as atrial septal defect or patent foramen ovale
- Atrioventricular septal defect surgery
- Maze procedure for atrial fibrillation
- Minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass (MIDCAB)
However, minimally invasive heart surgery isn't right for everyone. Your suitability depends on your own health history, your surgical history and your specific condition.
Your cardiac consultant will give you a detailed diagnosis and let you know what the best way forward is for your condition. With HCA UK, your care is highly personalised, and your safety always comes first.
250+
Cardiology consultants for you to choose from
36,000+
Cardiac patients treated every year
48 hours
Fast access to diagnostic test results
Innovative treatments
See a specialist and get dedicated, expert care
State-of-the-art facilities
New techniques and technology
Rapid access
Get tests, scans and results fast
YOUR MINIMALLY INVASIVE CARDIAC SURGERY WITH HCA UK
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 every 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.
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 specialists. Where possible, we’ll offer you an appointment within 24 hours.
Your cardiologist will ask you about the symptoms you’re experiencing. They’ll give you a thorough physical examination, look at your medical history and arrange the investigative diagnostic tests they think you need.
Your cardiologist will ask you about the symptoms you’re experiencing. They’ll give you a thorough physical examination, look at your medical history and arrange the investigative diagnostic tests they think you need.
02
Tests and diagnosis
HCA UK gives you fast access to the UK's most comprehensive cardiac diagnostics network, offering tests on the day of your appointment and results within two working days.
03
Follow up with options for minimally invasive surgery
Your consultant will share your test results within 48 hours, discuss what they mean and recommend next best steps. That may include minimally invasive cardiac surgery, depending on your diagnosis, health and surgical history.
Your consultant will create a treatment plan that you feel completely comfortable with. It will always be a tailored approach, based on what’s right for you.
Your consultant will create a treatment plan that you feel completely comfortable with. It will always be a tailored approach, based on what’s right for you.
04
Treatment
We’ll make sure you have everything you need before your surgery, and you’ll be able to ask questions at every stage of the process. You’ll have the support of your entire medical team throughout what can be an anxious time, and we’ll make sure you’re informed and made to feel as comfortable as possible.
05
Aftercare and monitoring
Following your surgery, we’ll monitor you to make sure you're fit to go home. We’ll also give you all the information you need to ensure a smooth recovery once you’re home.
You may feel ready to get back to your usual routine, including work, about a week after your procedure. Unless your job involves heavy lifting or other elements of physical labour, you should be fine.
It’s best to avoid strenuous exercise for at least a week. Your consultant will advise when it's safe to return to normal physical activity.
You may feel ready to get back to your usual routine, including work, about a week after your procedure. Unless your job involves heavy lifting or other elements of physical labour, you should be fine.
It’s best to avoid strenuous exercise for at least a week. Your consultant will advise when it's safe to return to normal physical activity.
Where can I have minimally invasive cardiac surgery?
We have specialists who can help across our extensive network of hospitals and treatment centres. You’ll be able to have your procedure at the following locations:
London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street SE1 2PR London
The Harley Street Clinic
35 Weymouth Street W1G 8BJ 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.
Minimally invasive cardiac surgery FAQ
Minimally invasive cardiac surgery is generally lower risk than open heart surgery, but all cardiac procedures carry some risks. These include:
- Internal or external bleeding
- Infection either internally, or at the incision sites
- Developing an irregular heart rhythm (arrythmia )
- Needing a permanent pacemaker
- Stroke, similar to the risk with open-heart surgery
- Heart attack
- Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
After your surgery, we’ll monitor you to make sure you're fit to go home.
You'll receive detailed at-home care instructions, and you should feel ready to resume your routine in five to seven days after the procedure. However, you should avoid strenuous activity for at least a week.
You'll receive detailed at-home care instructions, and you should feel ready to resume your routine in five to seven days after the procedure. However, you should avoid strenuous activity for at least a week.
Every patient is different and with HCA UK, you’ll always have a personalised treatment plan based on a clear diagnosis, your health history and what’s best for your own situation and condition.
Types of minimally invasive heart surgery include endoscopic cardiac surgery, robot-assisted heart surgery and thoracoscopic surgery. Our expert team has the experience and skills to select the approach that will deliver the best outcomes for you. They’ll discuss everything with you, so you feel fully informed and can be part of the decision-making process at every stage.
Several cardiac procedures are typically performed using a minimally invasive approach. These include mitral valve surgery to repair or replace a diseased mitral valve, aortic valve surgery to repair or replace a diseased aortic valve and a direct coronary bypass, also known as MIBCAB, which can be a good alternative to open heart surgery.
Our experienced surgeons will also often take a minimally invasive approach to repairing one of the most common kinds of congenital heart defect, called an atrial septal defect.
Our patients’ cardiac stories
Designing a new heart
Using his experience in 3D printing for his architecture clients, David built a life-size model of his own heart and ribcage to help visualise and plan his endoscopic heart surgery with Mr Toufan Bahrami.
Just two months after undergoing heart surgery at The Harley Street Clinic, David, who is in his 70s, is looking forward to his forthcoming trip to Copenhagen, Stockholm and Gothenburg with his wife.
A simple heart screening revealed Mahmoud’s tumour
At 55, Mahmoud had never felt fitter. The orthodontist from northwest London enjoyed daily exercise classes and a range of sports. It was only when a relative was diagnosed with cardiovascular disease that his wife suggested he arrange a routine heart health check-up.
Kirti's heart rhythm story
How a life-changing cardiac procedure stopped Kirti worrying about her heart health. Kirti first felt a heart palpitation back in 2016 whilst out shopping. After delaying seeking specialist advice, she sought the expertise of Dr Mike Koa-Wing, Consultant Cardiologist at The Wellington Hospital, in 2020 after the palpations got worse. Here Kirti shares her story.
“It was the best decision we ever made. Almost as soon as the anaesthetic from the surgery wore off, she was back to her usual happy self.”
Reviewed by
*Based on national private cardiac volumes. The Private Healthcare Information Network.
**Based on availability across all HCA UK facilities.
**Based on our patient satisfaction survey at HCA UK hospitals.
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.