Concierge cardiology · London
Coronary angioplasty (PCI), by a consultant interventional cardiologist.
Angina that stops you halfway up the escalator, or an angiogram that has already shown a tight lesion — the decision now is who does the stent, and whether it should really be a stent at all. In London we route you to a high‑volume interventional cardiologist who uses FFR or intracoronary imaging to prove the narrowing actually needs treating, works through the wrist as first choice, and gets most patients home the same evening.
Why patients choose us
- 01
A consultant interventional cardiologist
A named PCI operator with a high-volume London cath lab, not a rotating trainee. The same clinician sees the angiogram, discusses the options, and does the stent.
- 02
Physiology and imaging on the table
FFR or iFR to prove a lesion is truly ischaemic before it is stented, and IVUS or OCT when calcification or a left main is in question.
- 03
Honest about the alternative
For triple-vessel or left main disease, CABG may outlast stents. If the heart team says so, we say so — before you commit to PCI.
Indicative pricing
What a private coronary angioplasty costs in London.
Indicative ranges across our partner cath labs. Send the details and we quote firm figures across two or three options.
In short
Elective single-vessel PCI with one DES in our network: £9,500–£14,000, home the next day.
| Procedure | Indicative range | Typical duration | Recovery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elective PCI, single vessel, one DES | £9,500–£14,000 | 60–90 min | Overnight stay |
| Elective PCI, multi-vessel or two stents | £13,000–£19,000 | 90–150 min | Overnight stay |
| PCI with FFR or iFR physiology | £11,000–£16,000 | 75–120 min | Overnight stay |
| PCI with IVUS or OCT imaging | £12,500–£17,500 | 90–120 min | Overnight stay |
| Complex PCI (rotablation, IVL, CTO) | £16,000–£28,000 | 2–4 hours | 1–2 nights |
| Diagnostic coronary angiography only | £2,800–£4,500 | 30–45 min | Same day |
| Cardiology consultation only | £250–£450 | 30–45 min | Same visit |
Prices vary by clinic, by which interventional cardiologist does the case, by the number of vessels and stents, and by whether physiology, imaging, atherectomy or lithotripsy are added. We come back with a firm quote within one working day.
The problem
The right operator, the right lesion, the right treatment.
Not every narrowing needs a stent, not every stent needs to be a DES, and not every three-vessel patient should have PCI. We fix all three before you commit.
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Not sure a stent is needed?
A pressure wire (FFR / iFR) proves whether a moderate lesion is truly ischaemic — if not, PCI is deferred.
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Worried about complex disease?
Left main or triple-vessel? Heart team review with a cardiac surgeon — PCI, CABG or hybrid, on the evidence.
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Want it done properly?
Radial-first access, DES as standard, IVUS or OCT for complex lesions, and DAPT tailored to your risk profile.
The journey
From angiogram to stent to DAPT — what happens, in order.
One consultant interventional cardiologist from angiogram through to follow-up — including the antiplatelet plan.
Phase 1 · Before your procedure
Diagnostic and heart team
Phase 2 · On the day
In the cath lab
Phase 3 · After
DAPT and review
- 01
Before
You tell us what is going on
A short, confidential form. Symptoms, angina pattern, prior tests, medications and any allergy to contrast or aspirin.
- 02
Before
Diagnostic angiogram or CT coronary
Coronary anatomy is confirmed on invasive angiography or CT coronary angiography. FFR or iFR is added if a lesion is borderline.
- 03
Before
Heart team discussion
For complex disease the interventional cardiologist and cardiac surgeon discuss PCI versus CABG. You are told the reasoning, not just the plan.
- 04
On the day
Radial (or femoral) access
Local anaesthetic at the wrist for radial access — the default, with lower bleeding. Femoral is used if the radial is unsuitable.
- 05
On the day
Balloon and drug-eluting stent
The narrowed artery is crossed with a wire, pre-dilated with a balloon, and a drug-eluting stent is deployed and post-dilated. Atherectomy or lithotripsy is used if the plaque is heavily calcified.
- 06
On the day
Recovery on the cardiac unit
A few hours flat if femoral, sooner mobile if radial. Overnight stay for most elective cases; longer after primary PCI for STEMI.
- 07
After
Dual antiplatelet therapy and review
Aspirin plus ticagrelor, prasugrel or clopidogrel — duration set by bleed versus thrombotic risk. Cardiology review at 4–6 weeks, then annually.
Typical end-to-end for elective PCI: 2–4 weeks from enquiry to procedure. DAPT: 6–12 months.
When it helps
When coronary angioplasty is the right step.
The clinical scenarios PCI is designed for — plus the red flag that means 999, not a clinic booking.
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STEMI (heart attack, primary PCI)
ST-elevation myocardial infarction — the culprit artery is opened within a 120-minute door-to-balloon target. This is emergency, not elective.
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NSTEMI and unstable angina
Non-ST-elevation MI or unstable angina — an invasive strategy with early angiography and PCI where a culprit lesion is found.
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Stable angina failing medical therapy
Angina despite optimal beta-blocker, calcium-channel blocker and nitrate — PCI improves symptoms when a flow-limiting lesion is confirmed.
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High-risk anatomy on imaging
Proximal LAD disease, large ischaemic territory or a positive functional test — an interventional strategy is usually preferred.
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Cardiogenic shock
Shock complicating an acute coronary syndrome — early revascularisation of the culprit vessel, often with mechanical support.
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In-stent restenosis
A previously stented artery narrowing again — repeat PCI, often with a drug-coated balloon or a new DES.
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Chronic total occlusion (CTO)
A fully blocked artery with symptoms — opened by a CTO operator in a planned, longer case.
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Red flag: chest pain within 30 days of a stent
Sudden chest pain within the first month of a stent may be acute stent thrombosis — call 999, not the clinic.
PCI options
A drug-eluting stent is not the only option.
What each option on the table actually involves — and which fits which problem.
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Drug-eluting stent (DES)
The current standard — a metal scaffold coated with an anti-proliferative drug that keeps restenosis rates low.
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Balloon angioplasty (POBA)
Balloon-only dilatation without a stent — used in small vessels or in-stent restenosis, often with a drug-coated balloon.
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Bare-metal stent (BMS, legacy)
An older, uncoated stent — rarely used now, occasionally when a short DAPT window is essential.
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Bioresorbable scaffolds
A scaffold that dissolves over time — a niche option in selected patients, not routine.
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Rotational or orbital atherectomy
A high-speed burr or orbital device that shaves heavily calcified plaque so a stent can be delivered and fully expanded.
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Intravascular lithotripsy (IVL)
Sonic pressure waves crack calcified plaque without cutting — a newer option for heavy calcification.
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FFR / iFR-guided PCI
A pressure wire measures whether a lesion actually restricts flow — PCI is deferred if physiology is normal.
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CABG (surgical alternative)
Coronary artery bypass grafting — often preferred for left main or triple-vessel disease, especially with diabetes.
Our vetted London network
A small panel of interventional cardiologists, we picked them.
High-volume PCI operators across central London cath labs. Not listed publicly — introductions are made privately, once we understand your case.
Selection criteria
How we choose every interventional cardiologist in our network.
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Consultant interventional cardiologists at high-volume London PCI centres
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Physiology (FFR / iFR) and intracoronary imaging (IVUS, OCT) routinely available
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On-site cardiac surgery for heart team discussion and rare surgical bailout
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24/7 primary PCI cover for STEMI, with door-to-balloon audit
Safety and recovery
The risks worth knowing — honestly.
PCI is one of the most-audited procedures in cardiology. The things worth planning are your access route, your antiplatelet plan, and knowing which symptoms are 999 calls.
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Access site — radial preferred
Radial access has lower bleeding and mortality than femoral. Expect a small bruise, a firm band on the wrist for a few hours, and a tender pulse for a week.
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Stent thrombosis is rare but serious
Sudden clot in a fresh stent presents as an acute MI. Dual antiplatelet therapy on time, every day, is the single most important thing you can do.
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Restenosis
The artery re-narrowing inside a stent — much less common with modern DES (a few per cent) than with older bare-metal stents.
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Contrast-induced kidney injury
Iodinated contrast can transiently worsen kidney function, especially in diabetes or chronic kidney disease. Hydration and contrast minimisation reduce the risk.
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Coronary perforation
A rare tear in the vessel wall — usually managed on the table with a covered stent or a coil, occasionally with pericardial drainage.
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Bleeding on DAPT
Aspirin plus a P2Y12 inhibitor increases bleeding — bruising, nosebleeds, or, rarely, gastrointestinal bleeding. Never stop DAPT without cardiology advice.
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Stroke, arrhythmia and MI
Stroke and procedure-related MI are uncommon; brief arrhythmias during balloon inflation are usual and settle.
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Femoral access — extra risks
Access-site pseudoaneurysm, haematoma and, rarely, retroperitoneal bleed. If femoral access is needed, the puncture is ultrasound-guided.
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Red flags after discharge
Chest pain within 30 days of a stent, sudden breathlessness, a swollen bleeding groin, or one-sided weakness — call 999.
Reading your PCI report
Your PCI report in four parts. Read the last one first.
Whichever devices were used, the report the cardiologist sends you keeps to the same shape.
A quiet reminder
Interventional language is precise and can read coldly — we translate it for you.
If you would like us to talk you through the report before your review, just ask.
- 01 Header
Indication and access route
Why PCI was done — STEMI, NSTEMI, unstable or stable angina — and whether radial or femoral access was used.
- 02 Technique
Vessels treated and devices used
Which coronary arteries were treated, stent make, diameter and length, and any physiology (FFR / iFR) or imaging (IVUS, OCT) findings.
- 03 Findings
Result and any complications
Final TIMI flow, residual stenosis, and any complications on the table — perforation, no-reflow, distal embolisation.
- 04 Impression
DAPT plan and follow-up
Read this first: which antiplatelet, for how long, secondary-prevention medications, and when to be reviewed.
Recognised by major UK insurers
Cover for coronary angioplasty is usually available when a stent is medically indicated. We confirm cover, pre-authorisation and any co-payment before booking.
Frequently asked
Everything we get asked about coronary angioplasty.
Quick answers on access route, stents, DAPT duration, physiology-guided PCI, and when CABG is a better option.
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How soon can I have a private coronary angioplasty in London?
Most elective cases are admitted within one to two weeks of an angiogram that shows a lesion needing treatment — sooner if symptoms are unstable. It’s a day‑case wrist procedure for the majority of patients: in through the radial artery in the morning, home the same evening after four to six hours of observation.
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Radial or femoral access — which is better?
The radial artery at the wrist is the default. It has less bleeding, fewer access-site complications, earlier mobilisation and lower mortality in acute coronary syndrome. Femoral is used when the radial is too small, occluded or spasmodic, or when large-bore support is needed.
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How is a PCI different from a diagnostic angiogram?
A diagnostic angiogram only takes pictures of the coronary arteries. PCI is the treatment — a balloon opens the narrowing and a stent is deployed. They often happen in the same session, and you consent for both up front.
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What is a drug-eluting stent (DES)?
A tiny metal scaffold coated with an anti-proliferative drug (for example, everolimus or zotarolimus) that keeps the artery open and dramatically reduces the risk of the artery re-narrowing compared with older bare-metal stents.
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How long do I need dual antiplatelet therapy afterwards?
Usually 6–12 months of aspirin plus ticagrelor, prasugrel or clopidogrel, then aspirin alone for life. Duration is tailored to your bleeding versus clotting risk — shorter if bleeding risk is high, longer if thrombotic risk is high. Never stop it on your own.
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What is FFR or iFR, and why does it matter?
A pressure wire measures the pressure drop across a lesion. FFR (with adenosine) or iFR (resting) tells the operator whether a moderate-looking narrowing is actually restricting flow — if physiology is normal, PCI is deferred and you avoid an unnecessary stent.
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What about IVUS or OCT?
Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) are miniature imaging catheters that see inside the artery. They help size the stent correctly, confirm it is fully expanded, and are particularly useful in left main disease and complex calcified lesions.
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When is CABG better than PCI?
For left main disease, triple-vessel disease (especially with diabetes) and complex anatomy with a high SYNTAX score, coronary artery bypass grafting often gives more durable results. The heart team discusses this before you commit to a stent.
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What are the main risks?
Bleeding or bruising at the access site, contrast-related kidney injury, stent thrombosis, restenosis, coronary perforation, arrhythmia, procedural MI and, rarely, stroke or death. Serious complications in elective PCI are well under one per cent in experienced hands.
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When should I call 999 rather than the clinic?
Chest pain within 30 days of a new stent (possible stent thrombosis), sudden severe breathlessness, one-sided weakness or slurred speech, or a rapidly expanding bleeding lump at the access site — these are 999 calls, not clinic calls.
Related tests
Looking for something else?
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CT coronary angiography
Non-invasive imaging of the coronary arteries.
Learn more -
Pressure wire study (FFR / iFR)
Proves whether a lesion is truly ischaemic.
Learn more -
Echocardiogram
Ultrasound of the heart — pump function and valves.
Learn more -
All tests
Every test and procedure we arrange.
Learn more -
Hypertension
Related condition guide.
Learn more -
Atrial Fibrillation
Related condition guide.
Learn more -
ECG
Related diagnostic test.
Learn more
In practice, in London
The London pathway for coronary angioplasty
For coronary angioplasty, the private London route is mostly about consultant fit and hospital choice rather than raw waiting time. The wait for coronary angioplasty on the NHS depends heavily on where you live and how urgently the referral is graded. Central and West London private clinics can normally book within a week, with imaging or a procedure slot to follow shortly after. It’s worth being honest about the reason for going private: usually it’s time, not a fundamentally different test.
The mechanics are straightforward: a consultant appointment, any tests done at a nearby CQC-registered site, and a written report back within a few days. London’s density of private diagnostics — Marylebone, the City, Chelsea, Canary Wharf — means most patients can find something that fits around work without a cross-town trek. For coronary angioplasty in particular, we bias towards consultants who do this every week rather than every month.
There are a lot of consultants in London who can technically handle coronary angioplasty. Fewer who do it week in, week out for the exact question you’re bringing. We spend most of our time working out which is which — and being straight when a different test or a different specialist would serve you better. Everything runs to CQC, GMC and Royal College standards; the choice is about fit, not floor.