REPLACE YOUR AORTIC VALVE WITHOUT OPEN HEART SURGERY
Recover in days not months
If you’ve been told you need an aortic valve replacement, you don’t have to face a full sternotomy and a long recovery. Our minimally invasive approach replaces your valve through a small incision preserving your breastbone and getting you back to normal life faster.
AM I SUITABLE FOR KEYHOLE AORTIC VALVE SURGERY?
2 Weeks
is the average surgery wait time*
1500
minimally invasive procedures
100+
5-star patient reviews. Read now
35 Years
of clinical and surgical experience
WHY CHOOSE KEYHOLE AORTIC VALVE REPLACEMENT OVER TRADITIONAL OPEN-HEART SURGERY?
Traditional aortic valve repair or replacement uses a large chest incision and splits the breastbone. This incision needs wiring together after the surgery and takes 12 weeks to heal — meaning recovery from this operation is prolonged.
Keyhole aortic valve replacement offers several benefits over traditional open-heart surgery through the breastbone:
- No broken breastbone
- Minimal pain and blood loss
- Faster hospital discharge
- Safer in re-do and older patients
Our most advanced surgical treatment involves no broken bone — we approach the aortic valve through a small cut between the ribs on the right side of the chest. This is called ARTAVR. It allows you to recover in a matter of days rather than months, with less pain, less risk of infection, less bleeding, and swifter mobility when performed by experts.
Your Journey to a Healthy Heart in 3 Simple Steps
We understand facing heart surgery is daunting. We’ve streamlined our process to make it as effortless and reassuring as possible — for you and your family.
Request a Callback
Fill out our simple form. Our team will call you to schedule a comprehensive assessment in London, Nottingham, or online.
Get Your Personalised Plan
If surgical treatment is appropriate, Mr. Birdi designs a customised keyhole surgery plan tailored to your specific anatomy.
Surgery & Rapid Recovery
Surgery is typically offered within two weeks of your assessment, so you can start your rapid recovery journey immediately.
Why you should choose The Keyhole Heart Clinic
At The Keyhole Heart Clinic, my team and I are proud to have assembled the most highly experienced and skilled surgeons, anaesthetists and allied professionals specialising in minimally invasive aortic valve replacement in the United Kingdom.
Every member of the team has spent years perfecting their craft and has a track record of delivering exceptional results. We don’t just stop at world-class surgical care — heart health is a journey that extends beyond the operating room. That’s why we are committed to providing personalised care and support every step of the way.
What our aortic valve patients say
"Mr. Birdi was absolutely thorough, professional and efficient. What I appreciated was his frankness yet empathetic manner. Having very severe aortic stenosis that was recently diagnosed, I am naturally quite concerned. Mr. Birdi placed everything into perspective for me. Within days of our meeting, I was far better informed and reassured than what I was after months with the NHS."
"Mr Birdi is an absolutely wonderful human being and a brilliant medical practitioner. He put me at my ease immediately. He treated me with respect and compassion, which is exactly what one wants from someone who may be treating you in the future. The clarity with which he speaks is remarkable — even though I am not medically trained, I understood every word."
"Dr. Birdi is an excellent surgeon — professional, skilled, and compassionate. He took his time to explain everything clearly and made me feel comfortable throughout the entire process. The procedure and recovery went smoothly, and I’m very happy with the results."
"Mr Birdi and his whole team are simply amazing. I felt in very safe hands — he took the time to explain things thoroughly. Every step from the initial consultation through to organising my operation was handled brilliantly."
Aortic Valve Replacement
What is aortic valve stenosis?
Severe symptomatic aortic stenosis is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition that requires prompt treatment.
The aortic valve plays a crucial role in maintaining healthy blood flow from the heart to the rest of the body, and when it becomes narrowed and obstructed, the heart must work harder to pump blood through. This increased workload can lead to symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, and fatigue, and can eventually result in heart failure.
Timely treatment with minimally invasive aortic valve replacement surgery can restore normal blood flow and alleviate symptoms, improving quality of life and reducing the risk of complications.
What is minimally invasive aortic valve replacement?
Minimally invasive aortic valve replacement is a procedure that involves replacing a diseased or damaged aortic valve with an artificial one through small incisions in the chest instead of open-heart surgery.
How is minimally invasive aortic valve replacement different from traditional open-heart surgery?
Traditional heart surgery involves accessing the heart through a large breastbone split which is wired together after the surgery and takes 12 weeks to heal.
Minimally invasive aortic valve replacement involves smaller incisions, often without breaking any bones at all. This results in less blood loss, less pain, and a shorter recovery time compared to traditional open-heart surgery. Minimally invasive incisions performed between the ribs, like those performed by Mr Inderpaul Birdi at The Keyhole Heart Clinic, heal in 7–10 days.
Who is a good candidate for minimally invasive aortic valve replacement?
Most patients are suitable for minimally invasive aortic valve replacement when the procedure is performed by experienced teams like those working with Mr Birdi.
What are the benefits of minimally invasive aortic valve replacement?
The benefits of minimally invasive aortic valve replacement include a faster recovery time, less pain, less bleeding, improved cosmesis and fewer complications than traditional open-heart surgery.
What is the success rate of minimally invasive aortic valve replacement?
The success rate of minimally invasive aortic valve replacement is at least as effective as traditional open breastbone surgery, with most patients experiencing improved quality of life and increased mobility after the procedure.
Are there NICE guidelines for minimally invasive aortic valve replacement?
NICE guidelines published in 2021 recommend that patients who are suitable for minimally invasive aortic valve replacement, or who express a preference for this procedure, should be referred to a centre of expertise if local expertise does not exist.
What is the recovery time?
The recovery time for minimally invasive aortic valve replacement is generally shorter than traditional open-heart surgery, with most patients able to return to their normal activities within 3 to 4 weeks after the procedure — compared to roughly 12 weeks after a traditional breastbone split.
Is minimally invasive aortic valve replacement covered by insurance?
Yes — minimally invasive aortic valve replacement is covered by the major UK private insurers. We always recommend confirming directly with your insurance provider to ensure your specific policy covers this procedure.
How much does a private consultation cost?
A face-to-face consultation with Mr Birdi is £450. An online consultation is £325. We are transparent about all costs from the outset — there are no hidden charges.
How quickly can I have my surgery?
We aim to schedule your surgery within two weeks of completing your workup and presenting your case at our weekly multidisciplinary team meeting.
What should I expect during my consultation?
During your consultation, Mr Birdi will delve into your clinical history to confirm your diagnosis. We will then obtain any relevant images from your local hospital. Your case is presented at our weekly multidisciplinary meeting — a group of leading London heart specialists — to ensure that the decisions we make are subject to the clinical experience of several leading doctors.
What happens after my surgery?
You will be discharged with plenty of information to help you to recover safely. You will then be seen in clinic 6 weeks after discharge from hospital. Mr Birdi and the team are contactable at any time following your discharge from hospital.
What is the recovery time for keyhole aortic valve replacement compared to traditional surgery?
Keyhole aortic valve replacement (ARTAVR) offers a significantly faster recovery time. Because the procedure is performed through a small incision between the ribs without breaking the breastbone, patients are typically discharged in a matter of days and can return to normal activities within 3 to 4 weeks. In contrast, traditional open-heart surgery requires splitting the breastbone, which takes about 12 weeks to heal.
Is minimally invasive aortic valve replacement safe for older patients?
Yes, minimally invasive aortic valve replacement is often safer for older patients and those requiring re-do surgeries. The keyhole approach results in minimal pain, reduced blood loss, and a lower risk of infection compared to traditional open-heart surgery, making it an excellent option for elderly patients who might be at higher risk for complications from a full sternotomy.
Are there NICE guidelines supporting keyhole aortic valve replacement?
Yes, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published guidelines in 2021 recommending that patients who are suitable for minimally invasive aortic valve replacement, or who express a preference for it, should be referred to a centre of expertise if local expertise is not available.
