Heart Surgery

Our consultants may recommend surgery to treat many different heart conditions, including:

• Adult congenital heart disease
• Aortic aneurysms
• Arrhythmias
• Combined coronary, aortic and valve disease
• Coronary artery disease
• Endocarditis
• Heart failure
• Heart valve disease
• Structural heart disease

If surgery is the best option to treat your heart condition, our consultants will work as a team to determine the best path forward.  

Our surgeons are well-versed in the latest cardiothoracic therapies. They perform complex aortic procedures and use the newest heart valve devices and specialized heart bypass techniques. We also excel in repeat cardiac surgery and combined procedures, where we correct multiple heart conditions at the same time.

Whenever possible, we use minimally invasive techniques, such as keyhole surgery. Our surgeons helped develop and perfect this procedure, which is now used worldwide. There are many benefits of keyhole surgery over traditional surgery. Since this method doesn’t require our surgeons to open your breastbone (sternotomy), you’ll have smaller incisions, improved mobility and less pain after surgery, which can lead to a quicker recovery.

Complex aortic surgery

Our experts in cardiac surgery, vascular surgery and interventional radiology work together to treat the full range of aortic disorders, including aneurysms and dissections.

On our team, we have two of only a few heart surgeons in the U.K. with the expertise to offer full thoracoabdominal aortic repair and replacement. This highly complex procedure may be necessary if you develop an aneurysm in the section of your aorta that runs from your chest into your belly.

Whenever possible, we preserve your natural aortic valve with aortic valve repair or valve-sparing aortic root replacement. Aortic valve preservation can help improve long-term outcomes after aortic surgery by:

• Eliminating the risk of prosthetic valve deterioration
• Possibly improving life expectancy
• Minimising the risk of endocarditis related to a prosthetic valve
• Reducing or eliminating the need for long-term blood-thinning medication

Minimally invasive heart valve repair and replacement

We offer minimally invasive mitral and aortic heart valve surgeries to help you recover faster with fewer risks and less pain. Your surgeon may recommend repair or replacement if you have:

• Endocarditis (heart valve infection)
• Prolapse (bulging valve that doesn’t close properly)
• Regurgitation (leaky heart valve)
• Stenosis (narrowed heart valve)

Several of our consultants also specialise in endoscopic mitral valve repair. During this procedure, we make small incisions on the side of your chest, along your ribs. Then, we insert an endoscope with a camera on the end and tiny surgical tools through the incisions. This lets your surgeon see inside your heart on a video monitor as they operate.

Our surgeons always try to repair and preserve your natural heart valves when possible. But if you need valve replacement, you’ll have access to the newest heart valves with proven durability, performance and successful long-term outcomes.

Coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG)

If you have severe symptoms associated with coronary artery disease, we may recommend CABG. During bypass surgery, surgeons use healthy blood vessels from somewhere else in your body (grafts) to bypass diseased or blocked blood vessels leading to your heart. CABG can relieve symptoms like chest pain and shortness of breath, and reduce your risk of a heart attack.

Minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass surgery (MIDCAB)

If you have blockage in the left anterior descending coronary artery at the front of your heart, our surgeons may recommend MIDCAB. During this surgery, we make small incisions between your ribs to access your heart instead of a large chest incision (sternotomy).

Complete arterial coronary bypass grafting

In this procedure, we take arteries from your chest and forearm (arterial grafts), instead of from veins in your legs, to create bypasses for your heart. Arterial grafts are shown to have better long-term outcomes than vein grafts. But if we need to take veins from your legs, we use endoscopic (minimally invasive) techniques to remove the veins. This way, you only have two tiny incisions instead of a single larger incision running up your leg.

Off-pump coronary artery bypass

Off-pump means we perform surgery on your beating heart without a heart-lung machine. Your surgeon may recommend this technique if you have kidney problems, lung disease or liver failure — conditions that make it risky to have a heart-lung machine during surgery.

How Much Does Heart Surgery Cost at Cleveland Clinic London?

Your cost will depend on the type of surgery you have and the services you need. We offer self-pay services, as well as accept private medical insurance. Our team aims to make this process as smooth as possible, offering transparent pricing and answering any questions you may have.  

What’s Next?

Heart surgery can feel daunting — but it can also be life-changing. At Cleveland Clinic London, you’ll be cared for by an experienced team focused on delivering safe, effective treatment tailored to your needs. We’re here to guide you every step of the way, with clear answers, thoughtful planning and precise surgical care.

Contact us or call +44 20 3423 7500 for more information, including booking an appointment.

For specific information about our heart, vascular or thoracic services, you can also email the HVTI access team at [email protected].