The Portland Hospital
205-209 Great Portland Street W1W 5AH London
Aortic valve surgery
TYPES OF AORTIC HEART SURGERY
We offer the most advanced procedures for aortic valve surgery, including endoscopic, TAVI and open heart valve repair
What is aortic valve surgery?
Aortic valve surgery treats diseases of the aortic valve — one of four valves keeping the blood flowing in the right direction.
When one of the valves stops working properly, it can stop the blood flowing round the heart properly and force the heart to pump harder.
Aortic valve surgery involves replacing or repairing the faulty valve so that function is fully restored to the heart.
Need to know
Your consultant will let you know whether you need valve replacement or repair surgery.
- Valve repair. The valve can be repaired in several ways. This includes patching holes with tissue, separating fused valve cups or reshaping tissue so the valve closes properly. This is rarely performed.
- Valve replacement. The entire valve can be replaced through open surgery or through transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). This minimally invasive (keyhole) procedure is where cardiologists surgeons access your heart usually through an artery in your groin. The new valve is inserted through a catheter and guided into place. It is expanded inside the patient's existing diseased valve.
Your consultant will explain what happens during aortic valve surgery and answer any questions you might have. Like all procedures, there may be some risks and side effects involved.
Your consultant will explain these to you. If you're having general anaesthetic, your consultant will advise when you need to stop eating and drinking the night before.
Your consultant will explain these to you. If you're having general anaesthetic, your consultant will advise when you need to stop eating and drinking the night before.
After your aortic valve surgery, you'll need to stay in hospital for around a week. During this time, you'll be carefully monitored by our multi-disciplinary team of cardiac specialists.
You should be fully recovered after three months, and your consultant will let you know when you can get back to your usual routine, including work or exercise. The hospital stay after TAVI is much shorter, typically no more than a few days.
You should be fully recovered after three months, and your consultant will let you know when you can get back to your usual routine, including work or exercise. The hospital stay after TAVI is much shorter, typically no more than a few days.
Our Aortic valve surgery locations
The Wellington Hospital
8A Wellington Place NW8 9LE London
London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street SE1 2PR London
The Harley Street Clinic
35 Weymouth Street W1G 8BJ London
Patient stories
Yvette's story: From back pain to hip replacement surgery
Yvette (54) a journalist from Kent, started experiencing pain in her hip seven years ago in 2015. An ex-national gymnast who had been incredibly active and flexible her whole life, Yvette felt concerned about the growing discomfort impacting her quality of life, and so sought help from her GP.
A new hip and straight back into the spin of things
David’s gym video shows him repeatedly pushing up to 100kg on a single leg press – not particularly unusual for this keen cyclist, former competitive squash player and all-round fitness enthusiast. What is unusual is that 52-year-old David had hip surgery just 12 weeks earlier.
Michael's MAKO hip surgery to treat his arthritis
73 year-old Michael, an avid walker and charity worker, was diagnosed with arthritis in January 2021. After facing long waiting times and increasing pain that was becoming more frequent, he started to look elsewhere for treatment.
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.