Treatments

Specialist Care for heart valve disease

At The Oxford Valve Clinic, patients benefit from access to the full range of traditional and state of the art treatments for heart valve disease. Once a diagnosis has been made, we create a personalised treatment plan to manage your heart condition. With access to the very latest advances in medical and surgical therapies, we ensure you benefit from cutting-edge treatments tailored to your needs.

Medical Therapy

For patients with valve disease who are not immediate candidates for surgery or intervention, medical therapy can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life. This may include medications to control blood pressure, reduce fluid buildup, and support heart function. Regular monitoring ensures timely adjustment of treatment as the condition evolves.

Keyhole Surgical Therapies

Less invasive procedures that access the heart via a small keyhole incision and can be an excellent alternative to open heart surgery.

TAVI (Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation)

A minimally invasive procedure used to replace a narrowed aortic valve (aortic stenosis) without the need for open-heart surgery. Through a small incision in the groin, a new valve is guided into place and implanted. This approach offers a life-changing option for patients who are at high or moderate surgical risk, often leading to faster recovery and significant improvement in symptoms, quality of life and prognosis.

Mitral Edge-to-Edge Repair (MitraClip)

This minimally invasive procedure treats mitral valve leaks (mitral regurgitation) without the need for open-heart surgery. Through a small incision in the groin, a tiny clip is guided to the heart and attached to the mitral valve, helping it close more effectively.

Tricuspid Edge-to-Edge Repair (TriClip)

For patients with tricuspid regurgitation, this innovative procedure offers a non-surgical solution to reduce valve leakage. Using a catheter inserted through a vein in the leg, a small device is delivered to the heart and carefully attached to the tricuspid valve. By bringing the valve leaflets closer together, the clip helps restore more normal valve function. Most patients experience symptom relief and improved quality of life with a quicker recovery compared to traditional surgery.

Transcatheter Tricuspid Valve Replacement (Evoque Valve)

The Evoque valve offers a cutting edge, key-hole-surgery solution for patients with severe tricuspid regurgitation. Unlike repair techniques, this procedure fully replaces the damaged tricuspid valve. Delivered through a vein in the leg, the Evoque valve is implanted without open-heart surgery, and has been shown to provide significant symptom relief and improved quality of life.

Surgical Therapies

For severe valve disease needing a surgical solution, we partner with leading cardiac surgeons to offer treatments including:

Mitral Valve Repair / Replacement

Surgical treatment for mitral valve disease such as mitral stenosis or mitral regurgitation involves either repairing the patient’s own valve or replacing it with a mechanical or biological valve. These procedures are performed through open-heart surgery or, in select cases, minimally invasive approaches.

Aortic Valve Replacement

Surgical aortic valve replacement is an excellent treatment for severe aortic valve disease, including aortic stenosis and aortic regurgitation. The damaged valve is removed and replaced with either a mechanical or biological prosthetic valve.

Tricuspid Valve Repair / Replacement

An effective treatment option for severe tricuspid regurgitation and often performed alongside surgery on other heart valves. Repair is preferred when feasible, but replacement may be necessary in severe cases.

By tailoring treatment decisions, timing, and goals, and ensuring access to the most advanced procedures available, we help patients achieve better outcomes, fewer complications, and improved long-term quality of life.

Referrals and Collaborations 

The Oxford Valve Clinic works closely with a wide network of expert surgeons, interventional cardiologists, and diagnostic specialists to provide comprehensive care tailored to your needs. This collaboration ensures timely access to all necessary investigations and treatments.

By personally coordinating referrals, Dr Franks can connect you with the most suitable surgeon for your specific condition, creating a seamless care pathway focused on achieving the best possible outcomes.