Dr Tom Cahill
Procedures
Dr Cahill undertakes the following procedures on a regular basis, both privately and within the NHS.
Coronary angiography and stent implantation
Coronary angiography is a diagnostic procedure that uses contrast dye and X-rays to visualise the coronary arteries and identify blockages. If significant narrowing is found, stent implantation can be performed during the same procedure. A stent is a small mesh tube that's inserted into the blocked artery to hold it open and restore normal blood flow.
The procedure is performed through a small puncture in your wrist or groin, where a thin catheter is guided to your heart. Most patients can go home the same day or after an overnight stay. You'll receive local anaesthesia and mild sedation for comfort during the procedure.
Stent implantation effectively relieves chest pain (angina) and can be life-saving during a heart attack. Modern drug-eluting stents release medication to prevent re-narrowing of the artery. Dr Cahill is a high-volume operator with extensive experience performing coronary angiography and stent implantation, and undertakes this procedure at Oxford University Hospitals and at Cleveland Clinic London
Left atrial appendage occlusion
Left atrial appendage occlusion is a minimally invasive procedure designed to reduce stroke risk in patients with atrial fibrillation who cannot take long-term blood-thinning medications. The left atrial appendage is a small pouch in the heart where blood clots commonly form in people with atrial fibrillation.
During the procedure, a small device is implanted to seal off this appendage, preventing clot formation and reducing stroke risk. The device is inserted through a catheter via a vein in your groin, avoiding the need for open-heart surgery. Most patients can return home within 1-2 days.
This procedure offers an important alternative for patients who have bleeding complications with blood thinners or are at high risk for bleeding. The device becomes covered by your body's natural tissue over time, providing permanent protection. Dr Cahill has extensive experience with left atrial appendage occlusion as a high-volume operator, ensuring patients receive expert care with this specialised procedure.
PFO (and ASD) closure
Patent foramen ovale (PFO) and atrial septal defect (ASD) closure procedures seal abnormal openings between the heart's upper chambers. These openings can allow blood to bypass the lungs, potentially leading to stroke, migraines, or decompression sickness in divers. ASD closure may also be needed to prevent heart failure from excessive blood flow.
The procedure involves inserting a closure device through a catheter, typically via a vein in your groin. The device is positioned to seal the opening and becomes permanently integrated into your heart tissue over several months. Most patients go home the same day or after an overnight observation.
These procedures can significantly reduce stroke risk and eliminate diving restrictions for those with PFO. For ASD closure, it prevents long-term complications like heart failure and pulmonary hypertension. Dr Cahill is a high-volume operator with extensive experience in PFO and ASD closure, having successfully performed hundreds of these procedures with excellent safety records and patient outcomes.
Transcatheter aortic valve implantation
Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) is a minimally invasive procedure to replace a severely narrowed aortic valve without open-heart surgery. A new valve is compressed and delivered through a catheter, typically inserted through an artery in your groin or chest, and positioned inside your existing valve.
The procedure is performed under local anesthesia with sedation, and most patients experience immediate improvement in symptoms. Recovery is much faster than traditional surgery, with many patients going home within 1-3 days and returning to normal activities within weeks rather than months.
TAVI is particularly beneficial for older patients or those at high surgical risk, though it's increasingly offered to lower-risk patients as well. The new valve immediately improves blood flow and relieves symptoms like shortness of breath and chest pain. Long-term outcomes are excellent, with significant improvement in quality of life. Dr Cahill has extensive experience as a high-volume TAVI operator. He performs 200-300 procedures a year with outstanding patient outcomes and safety records.
Transcatheter edge-to-edge repair – mitral/tricuspid valves
Transcatheter edge-to-edge repair is an innovative, minimally invasive procedure to treat severe mitral or tricuspid valve regurgitation (leakage). A small clip device is delivered through a catheter via a vein in your groin and used to grasp the valve leaflets, creating a more effective seal and reducing regurgitation.
The procedure is performed under general anesthesia with guidance from echocardiography and X-ray imaging. Most patients experience immediate improvement in their valve function and can go home within 1-2 days. This technique avoids the need for open-heart surgery while providing significant symptom relief.
This procedure is particularly valuable for patients who are at high risk for traditional surgery due to age or other medical conditions. It effectively reduces symptoms like shortness of breath and fatigue while improving quality of life. The clips are designed to last long-term and integrate naturally with your valve tissue. Dr Cahill has extensive experience as a high-volume operator performing transcatheter edge-to-edge repair, ensuring patients receive expert care with this advanced valve intervention technique.