CaRi-heart technology
Revolutionary new technology to assess the risk of a serious heart condition or heart attack – many years before anything happens.
Mitral transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER)
- No.1 in the UK for private cardiac care
- Appointments confirmed in as little as 24 hours
- 99% of our cardiac patients would recommend us to friends and family
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Mitral TEER 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 expert cardiac consultants, supported by highly skilled multidisciplinary experts. Our network of modern facilities includes five cardiac centres and six cardiac theatres where our dedicated teams will care for you before, during and after your mitral TEER procedure.
With a higher proportion of 'Outstanding' ratings from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) than any other UK private healthcare group, no wonder 97% of our patients say they’re likely to recommend HCA UK to family and friends*.
*Based on our 2024 patient satisfaction survey report.
Mitral transcatheter edge-to-edge repair, or ‘TEER’ is a minimally invasive cardiac treatment carried out in the catheter labs. MitraClip™ is just one of the advanced cardiac devices we can use to repair a leaking mitral valve, restore normal blood flow and reduce what is known as ‘mitral regurgitation’.
You might need the procedure to insert a MitraClip™ or other TEER device if you have been suffering from severe mitral regurgitation or are experiencing symptoms such as shortness of breath, but can’t have fully open heart surgery.
Mitral TEER surgery can help improve symptoms, heart function and health even in older or more vulnerable patients for whom open surgery is not a safe option.
The goal is to restore more normal blood flow by helping the valve close more effectively. It can be highly effective in reducing cardiac symptoms and lowering your risk of complications arising from heart failure. It can also mean fewer hospitalisations and improved quality of life for people experiencing difficult symptoms.
Other benefits include a much shorter recovery time compared to open-heart surgery.
The goal is to restore more normal blood flow by helping the valve close more effectively. It can be highly effective in reducing cardiac symptoms and lowering your risk of complications arising from heart failure. It can also mean fewer hospitalisations and improved quality of life for people experiencing difficult symptoms.
Other benefits include a much shorter recovery time compared to open-heart surgery.
We can confirm an appointment with a consultant cardiologist within 24 hours to offer fast access to the best treatment plans for your heart symptoms, including mitral TEER with MitraClip™ where appropriate. We can usually arrange any scans or imaging on the same day of your appointment if required.
36,000+
cardiac patients treated each year
99%
success rate across all cardiac surgery
16
cardiology consultants with mitral TEER expertise
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 PATIENT JOURNEY
Understanding the process
From the moment you step through the door, until you’re ready to leave, we want you to feel as comfortable as possible. We do this by letting 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 contact your patient support team or clinical nurse specialist who will be able to help.
If you have any questions that aren’t answered here or in the FAQ section below, please contact your patient support team or clinical nurse specialist who will be able to help.
01
Initial consultation
Whether you’ve self-referred, or you have a referral from a GP, your first consultation will usually be with one of our cardiology consultants so they can examine you, find out more about your symptoms, your overall health and address any questions or concerns you may have.
Your consultant will also arrange any imaging or diagnostic tests you might need, including X-ray, cardiac CT or MRI scans. We offer the full range of imaging across our hospital and outpatient locations, with reports from specialist radiologists who help the consultant diagnose mitral regurgitation and other cardiac conditions accurately.
Your consultant will also arrange any imaging or diagnostic tests you might need, including X-ray, cardiac CT or MRI scans. We offer the full range of imaging across our hospital and outpatient locations, with reports from specialist radiologists who help the consultant diagnose mitral regurgitation and other cardiac conditions accurately.
02
Preparation
Your consultant will talk you through the mitral TEER procedure and answer any questions you may have about the procedure or the MitraClip™ device. You should tell them about any medication you are taking or any allergies you have and, unless they advise otherwise, you should carry on taking your medication as normal. As your procedure will take place under general anaesthetic, your consultant will let you know how long to avoid eating or drinking beforehand.
They'll also let you know how best to prepare for surgery, including:
- Trying to maintain a healthy weight
- Avoiding smoking
- Remaining as active as possible
03
Your procedure
Mitral TEER is usually performed under general anaesthetic, meaning you'll be asleep during the procedure.
Using specialist cardiac imaging such as a transoesophageal echocardiogram, your cardiologist will insert a catheter into the groin and carefully guide it towards the mitral valve in the heart, where they will carefully position a small device such as MitraClip™ onto the valve to help the valve close properly and prevent blood from flowing back through the left atrium/collecting chamber.
The whole procedure usually takes two to three hours.
Using specialist cardiac imaging such as a transoesophageal echocardiogram, your cardiologist will insert a catheter into the groin and carefully guide it towards the mitral valve in the heart, where they will carefully position a small device such as MitraClip™ onto the valve to help the valve close properly and prevent blood from flowing back through the left atrium/collecting chamber.
The whole procedure usually takes two to three hours.
04
After care
You will usually stay in hospital for two to three days after your TEER procedure where you will be supported and closely monitored by your consultant and specialist nursing team. You should have relief from your symptoms soon after the procedure.
Because mitral TEER does not involve an incision through the chest, your overall recovery time should be much quicker. Your consultant will let you know when you can get back to your usual daily activities, including work or exercise. Your recovery will be personal based on your age and overall fitness level.
Your medical team will arrange a follow-up appointment to check the clip is working well and the valve is now closing properly. You may need to take blood-thinning medication and ongoing check-ups with your consultant.
Because mitral TEER does not involve an incision through the chest, your overall recovery time should be much quicker. Your consultant will let you know when you can get back to your usual daily activities, including work or exercise. Your recovery will be personal based on your age and overall fitness level.
Your medical team will arrange a follow-up appointment to check the clip is working well and the valve is now closing properly. You may need to take blood-thinning medication and ongoing check-ups with your consultant.
OUR LOCATIONS
Across our extensive network of hospitals and treatment centres, our leading consultants are here to support you, from initial consultation through to aftercare. You can have your mitral TEER procedure at the following locations:
The Harley Street Clinic
35 Weymouth Street W1G 8BJ London
London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street SE1 2PR London
The Harborne Hospital
Mindelsohn Way B15 2TQ Birmingham
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.
FAQs
Mitral regurgitation is a condition that occurs when the mitral valve does not close properly. It allows blood to flow backwards into the left atrium, meaning the heart has to work harder to pump blood around the body.
Left untreated, it can worsen over time, leading to symptoms like shortness of breath and even heart failure.
Left untreated, it can worsen over time, leading to symptoms like shortness of breath and even heart failure.
As well as shortness of breath, other symptoms of mitral regurgitation can include chest pain, dizziness and palpitations, even when lying down in some cases. Some people may also notice swelling in the ankles and feet. However, it’s important to remember than not everyone experiences symptoms.
Mitral TEER is a minimally invasive alternative treatment to valve repair or replacement surgery. It is most suited to older or more infirm adults who are at high risk of complications for open heart surgery and are experiencing severe, symptomatic mitral regurgitation.
Your consultant will advise you on the best procedure for your health and condition.
Your consultant will advise you on the best procedure for your health and condition.
All surgery carries some risk. Your consultant will talk to you about the risks of the TEER procedure and the risks of alternative kinds of surgery.
An incision is made in the groin area through which a guide wire runs into the heart along the vein and a sheath is passed into the left atrium. A MitraClip™ or alternative device is inserted into the left atrium through the sheath and carefully positioned above the mitral valve.
The clip's arms are opened out and the clip is moved down into the left ventricle. Your consultant will then retract the clip until its arms embrace the two flaps, or leaflets, in the valve. The arms then close and special grippers hold both leaflets securely in place.
For some patients, medication can help alleviate symptoms. In some cases, you could need a more extensive open surgery, involving larger incisions and a longer hospital stay and recovery.
The cost of your treatment will depend on the package of care your consultant recommends. For your peace of mind, we offer transparent pricing and will outline exactly what your consultant has included in your treatment package and the overall amount you can expect to pay.
Our patients’ 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.
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.
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.
“The hospital was very good. It was everything one imagines it should be. The people are amazing – all the staff at all levels. They were very attentive, very helpful.”
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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.