Heart Valve Surgery

Heart valve surgery repairs or replaces a heart valve that has become narrowed or leaky, restoring normal blood flow through the heart and protecting against the heart failure that untreated valve disease can cause. Whenever it is possible, surgeons aim to repair and preserve the patient's own valve rather than replace it, which keeps valve function close to natural and avoids the lifelong issues of an artificial valve. Many of these operations can now be done through small side incisions or with a robotic approach, without dividing the breastbone, which means less pain and a faster recovery. Patients often travel abroad for this surgery to reach experienced cardiovascular teams, advanced minimally invasive and robotic programmes and a smooth, coordinated stay from assessment through to recovery.