Mrs Lauren Connolly

By London Mitral Clinic | November 17, 2021

Lauren Connolly

Clinical nurse specialist in structural heart disease

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Lauren has worked within the cardiology and cardiac surgery care setting for seven years. In recent years she has worked within the structural heart team as clinical nurse specialist and co-ordinator for the transcatheter valve team, specifically focusing in mitral and tricuspid valve disease. Lauren is the first nurse to act as second operator for the TEER procedure and is currently one of the most experienced operators in the UK with over 300 procedures completed. She also has experience as an operator with TriClip, AccuCinch, and transcatheter valve in valve and ring.

On the ground, Lauren is responsible for patients work-up as well as pre- and post-operative care. Lauren ensures that the patient journey is complete and fluid throughout the service and is the point of contact throughout the patient journey.

Lauren has published in The British Journal of Cardiac Nursing and has presented at international conferences, EuroPCR and London Valves with the results of the treatments delivered by the structural heart team. 

Lauren completed her nursing degree at Buckinghamshire University in 2014 and went on to complete a post graduate diploma in public health and management at Brunel university in 2015. She continues to keep her training and practice up to date whilst working, with regular update courses and on the job learning.

Lauren is the co-investigator for the upcoming first in UK trial - The Millipede annuloplasty ring feasibility study. In addition, the CoreCinch trial, a transcatheter approach to treat left ventricular remodelling, for example patients with dilated cardiomyopathy. Others to note are MitraExpand registry and the Commissioning through Evaluation (CtE) programme.

Patient feedback

‘I’d just like to say how brilliant you’ve been. It is an anxious time for me at the moment. From the minute I spoke to the lady in outpatient appointments things moved very quickly, and when you called you were so helpful and reassuring. You fulfilled everything you promised. I’ve worked for the NHS for 43 years, and seen the good and the not so good, and the treatment I’ve received from you has been outstanding, an example we can all learn from. Very patient focused’

Patient J

‘Thank you for your kindness throughout this difficult time for our family. We are incredibly grateful to have you taking care of our dad. You explained everything so clearly and kept us informed at all times which was so reassuring. Thanks again’.

Patient C's Daughter

‘I wanted to send you a note to thank you for everything. You found the reason for my breathlessness and made sure I was sent for treatment very quickly! I am glad to have you on my team :)’

Patient M