Cardiovascular interventions

We aim to improve the capacity for interventional clinical studies by leveraging the multi-site network of catheter-based procedures performed across GSTFT. We will also develop and promote the HRC translational pipeline and network to meet the needs of SMEs, leading global companies, and industry partners.

Dedicated to enhancing capacity and expertise in cutting-edge methodologies for Cardiovascular Innovation (CVI) by leveraging strong industrial partnerships and cultivating growth within the Surgical and Interventional Centre for Doctoral Training (SIE CDT).

Leads

Headshot of Professor Anne Vanhoestenberghe

Professor Anne Vanhoestenberghe

Theme Lead
Professor Anne Vanhoestenberghe is the Theme Lead of Cardiovascular Interventions. She is a Professor of Active Implantable Medical Devices and Director of MAISI, a national facility for the Manufacture of Active Implants and Surgical Instruments housed at St Thomas' Hospital. MAISI is not only a unique facility to manufacture the most complex medical devices, but the team also brings together engineers and experts in regulatory affairs to support researchers, whether in academia or SMEs, to bring their ideas to the first tests in humans.
Anne’s research is in the field of neuro-technologies, from technological innovations to their interactions with the (human) nervous system. She develops technology for the next generation of implantable electronic devices to improve the quality of life of patients, through applications such as neuromodulation and electrical stimulation for the restoration of movement in paralysed muscles; and bio-potential recording for control of prosthesis and artificial organs.

Anne trained as an engineer in Belgium (ULB) and the Netherlands (Eindhoven), then had the opportunity to undertake a PhD under the supervision of Prof Donaldson in the Implanted Devices
Group at UCL. She has worked in Germany (IMTEK, Freiburg) and Australia (UNSW, Sydney), where she was fortunate to meet some of the most influential people in her career.

Anne is also a keen teacher with a concern for Diversity Equality and Inclusivity, and actively seeks new strategies to develop more inclusive learning spaces and improve the university experience of non-mainstream students. She has been an active member of the International Microelectronics Assembly and Packaging Society (IMAPS-UK) since 2012.
Headshot of Dr Rachel Clough

Dr Rachel Clough

HRC Co-Director and Co-Theme Lead
Dr Rachel Clough is the HRC Co-Director and Co-Theme Lead of Cardiovascular Interventions. She is a Consultant Vascular Surgeon and Clinical Senior Lecturer in the School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Science. She was the deputy director of the Cardiovascular Medtech Co-operative. She works at the interface of NHS, academia and industry and has knowledge and experience of working with companies from start-ups to SMEs and large multi-nationals.
Within the School, as part of the Wellcome EPSRC Centre for Medical Engineering, Rachel set up and is Co-Director of the Entrepreneur in Residence programme, which supports the development of innovative medical devices, digital health solutions and disruptive medtech companies. She has worked with Sally Davies at the Department of Health and Social Care, initially in R&D and then within the Chief Medical Officer’s office on strategies for effective collaboration between the NHS, academia and industry. She specialises in technology-driven endovascular surgery having trained as a prestigious National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Clinical Lecturer in London and later as a Conseil National des Universités funded Associate Professor in Lille, France. Rachel has a first-class undergraduate degree and a PhD in biomedical engineering.
Our commitment to engaging patients, families, and the public in the co-design and testing of HealthTech products drives meaningful advancements in healthcare technology. Through comprehensive training and support, we are transforming the interface between industry, academia, and the health and care system, ensuring impactful outcomes for all.

Driving Innovation in Cardiovascular Health

Our mission is to catalyse innovation in HealthTech for the diagnosis and management of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases through cutting-edge technologies and digitally enabled care. This empowers patients and their caregivers to effectively manage cardiovascular health and conditions. Our objectives are closely aligned with the NHS strategy to enhance clinical service quality and reduce variation in patient care.

Diagram - Steps for cardiovascular interventions: This is a diagram that shows the step-by-step process of cardiovascular interventions. Across the top are the 4 steps. Step 1: Basic & applied research. Step 2: Translational development. Step 3: Clinical evaluation & regulatory approval. Step 4: Adoption & diffusion. Along the bottom are headings TRL 1-10 and commercial product. Under step 1 are the following: Preliminary idea with a well characterised theoretical case, and Principles are demonstrated through experimentation. Also under step 1 are TRL 1 and TRL 2. Placed between step 1 and 2 is Early proof of concept demonstrated in the lab and TRL 3. Under step 2 is Late proof of concept demonstrated in real life conditions and TRL 4. Placed between step 2 and 3 is the following: Technology refined and ready for initial human trials, and Late proof of concept demonstrated in real life conditions. Under step 3 is the following: Technology has completed initial trials and demonstrates preliminary safety data, and TRL 5-8. Placed between step 4 and 5 is the following: Technology completes secondary trials and demonstrates further evidence for safety and efficacy. Under step 4 is the following: Technology is continually monitored whilst on the market to ensure continued safety and efficacy compliance, Regulatory approval/notification takes place, product is made available to the market, Technology completes late stage trials and has all evidences required to prove safety and efficacy, TRL 9 and Commercial product.

We are committed to generating robust evidence that supports necessary approvals and facilitates the effective implementation and commercialisation of innovative solutions. By building capacity and expertise in methodological approaches—such as health economics, human factors, and care pathway assessments—we ensure comprehensive insights into the accessibility and performance of cardiovascular interventions.