CaRi-heart technology
Revolutionary new technology to assess the risk of a serious heart condition or heart attack – many years before anything happens.
Percutaneous valve treatments
- 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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PERCUTANEUOUS VALVE TREATMENTS AT HCA UK
Why choose us?
We’re the number one provider of private cardiac care in the UK, earning the trust of many thousands of patients. Over 97% of people we’ve treated would recommend us to their friends and family, and our cardiac surgery has a 99% success rate.
You’ll be expertly cared for at every stage, with access to leading consultants who specialise in percutaneous valve treatments to help with aortic stenosis and mitral valve regurgitation. Our specialist teams at hospitals in London and Birmingham are here for you.
You’ll be expertly cared for at every stage, with access to leading consultants who specialise in percutaneous valve treatments to help with aortic stenosis and mitral valve regurgitation. Our specialist teams at hospitals in London and Birmingham are here for you.
Percutaneous, also known as pinhole, valve treatments are minimally invasive procedures to repair or replace damaged heart valves without the need for open-heart surgery.
Our consultants use thin tubes, called catheters, inserted through a small incision in your groin to access your heart and treat diseased valves with less pain, reduced blood loss and a faster recovery.
Common procedures that we offer include:
Our consultants use thin tubes, called catheters, inserted through a small incision in your groin to access your heart and treat diseased valves with less pain, reduced blood loss and a faster recovery.
Common procedures that we offer include:
- Transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER/MitraClip) which reduces mitral or tricuspid valve regurgitation with a small clip
- Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) which replaces a narrowed aortic valve by placing a new one inside the old valve
- Balloon valvuloplasty which widens narrowed valves using a small balloon
- Transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR) which replaces a leaking mitral valve with a new one
- Paravalvular leak (PVL) closure which seals leaks around an artificial heart
These procedures are often recommended if you have aortic, mitral or tricuspid valve disease, especially when traditional open-heart surgery may carry higher risks. If you’ve had previous surgical valve replacements which have degenerated, your consultant may also think they’re right for you.
Your consultant will carefully assess the best approach for your personal situation.
Your consultant will carefully assess the best approach for your personal situation.
Percutaneous valve treatments access your heart using a catheter inserted into your femoral artery or vein in your groin, which only requires a small incision. This is less invasive than open-heart surgery, and can mean a faster recovery time, less pain, reduced blood loss and minimal scarring.
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.
THE PERCUTANEOUS VALVE TREATMENTS PROCESS
What to expect
We’re here make sure you’re as comfortable as possible and fully informed at every stage of your treatment. Our friendly team is always happy to answer any questions you have, but this outline gives you a good idea of what to expect.
01
Initial consultation
You’ll have an initial consultation with a cardiologist, who’ll ask you about your medical history, explain the diagnostic process and discuss possible treatment pathways.
02
Tests and scans
Your consultant will order a range of tests and scans at our state-of-the-art facilities. These usually include an ECG, blood tests and an echocardiogram. Sometimes a CT scan, transoesophageal echocardiogram or a coronary angiogram may be needed too.
We know waiting for results can be an anxious time, so we’ll aim to get your results back to you within 48 hours.
We know waiting for results can be an anxious time, so we’ll aim to get your results back to you within 48 hours.
03
Diagnosis
Your consultant will assess your test results to deliver a detailed diagnosis of your heart condition. They’ll explain the specific issues with your heart valves to you and discuss the best way forward.
04
Treatment
If percutaneous valve treatment is a viable option, there’s a range of different approaches, and your procedure will depend on your specific condition. Your consultant will talk you through every step of the procedure they recommend before your treatment begins.
Locations
Where can I get a private percutaneous valve treatment?
At HCA UK, you can be sure you’ll be treated by leading cardiac specialists and cared for by a skilled and friendly team every step of the way. We’ll take the best possible care of you.
London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street SE1 2PR London
The Harley Street Clinic
35 Weymouth Street W1G 8BJ London
The Wellington Hospital
Wellington Place St John's Wood NW8 9LE 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.
Percutaneous valve treatments FAQ
You may need a local or general anaesthetic in preparation for your percutaneous valve treatment, and your cardiologist will advise which is best for you. They’ll always perform the procedure as part of an expert, multidisciplinary team which will include heart and vascular surgeons.
A small hole will usually be made in your femoral artery or vein in your groin, and a catheter or catheters will be inserted to reach your heart. We may occasionally need to use alternative access sites, depending on your individual situation.
Once your procedure is successfully completed, the catheters are removed and the puncture wound in your groin is repaired.
A small hole will usually be made in your femoral artery or vein in your groin, and a catheter or catheters will be inserted to reach your heart. We may occasionally need to use alternative access sites, depending on your individual situation.
Once your procedure is successfully completed, the catheters are removed and the puncture wound in your groin is repaired.
Before the procedure, you’ll have several imaging tests including an angiogram, a chest X-ray and an ECG. You'll also have blood tests, an echocardiogram and often a CT scan too. These will help your cardiologist to better understand your condition and prepare for your surgery.
Your consultant will explain your upcoming surgery to you and answer any questions you may have. Like all procedures, there’ll be some risks and side effects involved. Your consultant will always take the time to explain these to you so you’re fully informed.
Your consultant will explain your upcoming surgery to you and answer any questions you may have. Like all procedures, there’ll be some risks and side effects involved. Your consultant will always take the time to explain these to you so you’re fully informed.
After surgery, your expert team will monitor you in the critical care unit before moving you to a dedicated cardiac ward. You could be hospital for anywhere between two to eight days, depending on your health and your consultant’s advice.
During this time, you’ll have a range of tests to monitor your progress including an electrocardiogram, blood tests and an echocardiogram.
You’ll have a follow-up appointment arranged at time that your consultant judges best and they’ll let you know when you can get back to your usual routine, including work or exercise.
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.
“From not being able to do anything to feeling so much better, I can’t explain it – the difference was amazing!”
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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.