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Mitral valve surgery
- No.1 in the UK for private cardiac care
- Appointments in as little as 24 hours
- Specialists in open, minimally invasive and fully endoscopic mitral valve surgery
MITRAL VALVE SURGERY AT HCA UK
Why choose us?
At HCA UK, you’ll have rapid access to leading heart valve specialists offering open-heart, minimally invasive and fully endoscopic surgery for mitral valve repair and replacement. As the UK’s No.1 provider of private cardiac care, we carry out more of these procedures than any other private provider, with a 99.8%* success rate. At The Harley Street Clinic alone, our consultants perform more than 100 fully endoscopic mitral valve procedures each year.
This extensive experience and strong focus on patient care are reflected in our consistently positive patient feedback, with 99% **of the 36,000 people we treat annually saying they’d recommend us to family and friends.
*Based on HCA UK's most recently available outcomes data, 2022-2024.
**Based on our 2024 patient satisfaction survey report.
Your mitral valve sits between your upper and lower left heart chambers. It opens to let blood flow from your left atrium to your left ventricle and closes to prevent blood from moving backward. Sometimes, your mitral valve doesn’t work as well as it should, because it’s become too narrow or it’s started to leak. This can, in turn, force your heart to work harder in order to pump blood around your body.
Mitral valve repair or replacement surgery is used to treat your faulty valve and restore the function of your heart.
The procedure can be performed either as an open surgery procedure known as a sternotomy, (15-20cm incision) as minimally invasive surgery (6-8cm incision) or as fully endoscopic surgery, involving a very small 2-3cm incision.
The procedure can be performed either as an open surgery procedure known as a sternotomy, (15-20cm incision) as minimally invasive surgery (6-8cm incision) or as fully endoscopic surgery, involving a very small 2-3cm incision.
You may need mitral valve repair or replacement surgery if your valve is leaking (regurgitant) or narrowed (stenosed). If your mitral valve leak is severe, it’s likely that you’ll need surgery, even if you’re not experiencing any symptoms.
The benefits of a mitral valve operation are evidence-based, and the data shows real benefits for patients with severely leaky mitral valves.
If your mitral valve is narrowing, you might require surgery to replace your faulty valve with one made of biological tissue, or with a mechanical valve.
The benefits of a mitral valve operation are evidence-based, and the data shows real benefits for patients with severely leaky mitral valves.
If your mitral valve is narrowing, you might require surgery to replace your faulty valve with one made of biological tissue, or with a mechanical valve.
Mitral valve surgery can be carried out using minimally invasive techniques or as fully endoscopic cardiac surgery.
Minimally invasive surgery uses several small (6-8cm) incisions around the chest, rather than one large incision through the breastbone, as is the case with open sternotomy.
For fully endoscopic surgery, performed at The Harley Street Clinic, London, our surgeons use an even smaller incision than in minimally invasive surgery – just 2–3cm. This is performed either ‘peri areolaire’, which means in the pigmented skin around the nipple, or under the breast for extra precision and better quality of repair. Our consultants at The Harley Street Clinic perform around 100 endoscopic cardiac procedures a year.
Minimally invasive surgery uses several small (6-8cm) incisions around the chest, rather than one large incision through the breastbone, as is the case with open sternotomy.
For fully endoscopic surgery, performed at The Harley Street Clinic, London, our surgeons use an even smaller incision than in minimally invasive surgery – just 2–3cm. This is performed either ‘peri areolaire’, which means in the pigmented skin around the nipple, or under the breast for extra precision and better quality of repair. Our consultants at The Harley Street Clinic perform around 100 endoscopic cardiac procedures a year.
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-reaching expertise across the UK
Choose from 5 hospitals and 15 diagnostic centres in London, Manchester and Birmingham.
YOUR MITRAL VALVE SURGERY PROCEDURE AT 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 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 specialist team who’ll be able to help.
If you have any questions that aren’t answered here or in the FAQ section below, please contact your specialist team who’ll be able to help.
01
Initial consultation for mitral valve repair or replacement
Your first consultation will usually be with one of our cardiac specialists so they can examine you, find out more about your symptoms, and address any questions or concerns you may have.
Your consultant will ask you about your medical history and symptoms and arrange any imaging or diagnostic tests you might need.
Your consultant will ask you about your medical history and symptoms and arrange any imaging or diagnostic tests you might need.
02
Tests and scans
Most of the time, you will complete any cardiac tests and imaging scans during the same week and receive your results within 48 hours. Tests you may need include:
- Echocardiogram (Transthoracic/Transoesophageal)
- Coronary angiogram
- CT with 3D reconstruction
- Chest X-ray
- Blood tests
Your case will be presented to the specialist cardiac multidisciplinary team, who hold regular meetings to ensure the highest standards of best medical practice based on GMC guidelines.
03
Your mitral valve surgery procedure
The duration and process of your mitral valve repair operation will depend on the type of procedure you need, especially whether you need a mitral valve repair or replacement and whether your surgeon is opting for an open, minimally invasive or fully endoscopic approach. Your consultant will discuss your chosen procedure with you in more detail.
04
Follow-up and aftercare for mitral valve repair or replacement
Immediately following surgery, you will spend a day or more in intensive care, before being moved to the cardiac ward to recover. Your stay in hospital is likely to be under a week if you have had an endoscopic, minimally invasive procedure – and slightly longer for open surgery.
You'll need to arrange for someone to take you home from hospital as well as for someone to stay with you for a couple of weeks following the procedure.
It’s important to know that recovery from open heart surgery can take several weeks and sometimes months. You’ll be advised to restrict all lifting and strenuous activity during that time, giving yourself the chance to fully heal. If you have an endoscopic procedure, you may benefit from faster recovery times.
If you’re taking anticoagulants, you’ll also need to have regular blood tests locally until you’re stabilised on the medication.
Your Clinical Nurse Specialist will schedule regular post-operative contact calls for the first four to six weeks. The aim of these is to make sure that all is proceeding as it should until you attend your first face-to-face appointment with your consultant.
This clinic appointment typically takes place six weeks or less after your initial procedure.
You’ll be offered cardiac rehabilitation after this to support both your physical and your psychological recovery. Our specialist team will be here for you throughout your recovery. You’ll be in the safest possible hands.
OUR FACILITIES
Where can I have my procedure?
Across our extensive network of hospitals and treatment centres, our leading consultants are here to support you, from initial consultation through to aftercare, including with specialist children’s care at The Portland Hospital. You can have your mitral valve surgery at the following locations:
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.
Mitral valve surgery FAQs
Leakage can occur for a number of reasons, including mitral valve prolapse, rupture of the chordae tendineae (the tissue connecting the valve to the heart muscle), annular dilatation, affecting the tissue around the valve, or infective endocarditis, an infection of the lining of the heart.
Mitral valve repair is the proven gold standard to treat a faulty valve and restore the function of the heart. Published data shows the long-term benefits of repair versus replacement. Surgical repair rates of leaky valves on the left side of the heart are above 90%, and carry less than 1% risk.
No, minimally invasive and fully endoscopic approaches can be highly effective too. The team at HCA UK is expert at diagnosing mitral valve challenges and recommending the best treatment option for you, based on your own condition and situation.
Minimal access surgery uses several small (6-8cm) incisions around the chest, rather than one large incision through the breastbone. The heart-lung bypass machine is typically connected using cannulas inserted into your femoral artery and vein in the groin.
Fully endoscopic surgery is carried out using a small incision of just 2–3cm. The incision is made either as a peri-areolar approach, within the pigmented skin around the nipple, or beneath the breast. With this approach, the heart-lung bypass machine is connected using small tubes inserted through the skin into the blood vessels.
Minimal access surgery uses several small (6-8cm) incisions around the chest, rather than one large incision through the breastbone. The heart-lung bypass machine is typically connected using cannulas inserted into your femoral artery and vein in the groin.
Fully endoscopic surgery is carried out using a small incision of just 2–3cm. The incision is made either as a peri-areolar approach, within the pigmented skin around the nipple, or beneath the breast. With this approach, the heart-lung bypass machine is connected using small tubes inserted through the skin into the blood vessels.
Mitral valve repair surgery is always performed under a general anaesthetic and usually takes 3 to 4 hours if you’re having minimally invasive endoscopic surgery, or 3 to 5 hours if you’re having open heart surgery.
Older or more infirm patients who are not suitable for surgery due to the higher risk factors can be offered the MitraClip approach instead.
This technique provides excellent short-term results in selected very high risk or older patients although for mid- and longer-term outcomes, totally endoscopic surgery may be a better choice. Your consultant will advise you which is the best option for you.
This technique provides excellent short-term results in selected very high risk or older patients although for mid- and longer-term outcomes, totally endoscopic surgery may be a better choice. Your consultant will advise you which is the best option for you.
Your consultant will take a detailed medical history and then discuss your case with a multidisciplinary team (MDT).
At HCA UK we have over 250 cardiovascular consultants, supported by a wider team of specialists that include doctors, clinical nurse specialists, anaesthetists, other specialist surgeons and physiotherapists, all of whom work together to ensure you receive exceptional care and support.
Our MDTs cover all cardiac specialties and subspecialties and mean we can offer you the most appropriate treatment options for your condition.
At HCA UK we have over 250 cardiovascular consultants, supported by a wider team of specialists that include doctors, clinical nurse specialists, anaesthetists, other specialist surgeons and physiotherapists, all of whom work together to ensure you receive exceptional care and support.
Our MDTs cover all cardiac specialties and subspecialties and mean we can offer you the most appropriate treatment options for your condition.
While all surgery carries risks, mitral valve surgery is generally safe. Your surgeon will discuss any potential complications with you based on your personal risk factors, including the risk of infection, bleeding or blood clots (usually less than 1%). They will also discuss the risks of not having surgery.
Your consultant will explain the procedure, explain any side effects and answer any questions you may have. They will give you details of how to prepare for your surgery. As you'll be having a general anaesthetic, they will ask you to stop eating and drinking for six hours or more beforehand.
Your consultant will let you know whether you need valve replacement or repair surgery.
- Mitral valve repair: this treats regurgitation or prolapse. Your surgeon will repair the valve to stop it leaking.
- Mitral valve replacement: this is sometimes used to treat stenosis or when valve repair is not possible. The valve is replaced with a mechanical man-made or tissue valve.
You can expect to stay in hospital for anything from a few days to a week after your procedure, depending on your specific condition and the type of surgery you’re having. It’s important to remember however, that full recovery from mitral valve surgery can take several months.
If you have a tissue valve replacement, you may need to take an anticoagulant medicine for two to three months. This is to prevent blood clotting on the new valve and the sutures. If you have a mechanical valve replacement, you’ll need to continue with this medication for the rest of your life. Your consultant and team will provide all the information you need on what to expect after surgery.
If you have a tissue valve replacement, you may need to take an anticoagulant medicine for two to three months. This is to prevent blood clotting on the new valve and the sutures. If you have a mechanical valve replacement, you’ll need to continue with this medication for the rest of your life. Your consultant and team will provide all the information you need on what to expect after surgery.
This will depend on the type of job you have – whether your job involves manual or strenuous activity for example. Your consultant will let you know when you can get back to your usual routine. Full recovery from mitral valve surgery can take a few months, depending on the type of intervention you have had.
Our patients’ stories
“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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