Percutaneous valve treatments

A percutaneous treatment can involve a local or general anaesthetic. A cardiologist will perform the procedure as part of a team, which will include heart and vascular surgeons.

A small hole will be made, usually in the femoral artery or vein in your groin, and a catheter or catheters will be inserted to reach the heart. The TAVI, MitraClip, or balloon mitral valvuloplasty can then be performed. When the procedure has been completed, the catheters are removed and the puncture wound mended in your leg.

Before the procedure, you will have several imaging tests including an angiogram, a chest X-ray and an ECG. You'll also have blood tests and an echocardiogram and usually a CT scan. Your consultant will explain the procedure to you and answer any questions you may have. Like all procedures, there may be some risks and side effects involved. Your consultant will explain these to you.

After the procedure, you'll be monitored in the critical care unit and then moved to a dedicated cardiac ward. You should be in hospital for between two to eight days and will have a range of tests to monitor your progress. These include an electrocardiogram, blood tests and a chest X-ray. You will have a follow-up appointment with us after six weeks and your consultant will let you know when you can get back to your usual routine, including work or exercise.