ASD / VSD Surgery in Turkey

When Does an ASD or VSD Need Closure?

ASD or VSD closure is considered when the defect creates clinically important blood flow, chamber effects, symptoms, or other complications.

• Cardiac enlargement: Significant left-to-right shunting can enlarge heart chambers receiving the additional blood flow.

• Symptoms: Breathlessness, feeding problems, reduced growth, or exercise limitation can influence treatment planning.

• Associated effects: Selected VSD locations can affect the nearby aortic valve or other cardiac structures.

• Pulmonary pressure: Suspected pulmonary hypertension requires careful assessment before deciding whether closure remains appropriate.

Small defects without important physiological effects may instead require observation. The defect's size alone does not determine every closure decision.

Why Can Some ASDs or VSDs Be Closed by Catheter While Others Need Surgery?

Catheter closure suits selected septal defects, while other anatomy requires surgical repair. Some ASDs can accept a catheter-delivered closure device when their location and surrounding anatomy are suitable. The American Heart Association notes that unusual ASD locations or associated defects can require surgery instead. Certain VSD types can also undergo device closure in the catheterization laboratory. Other VSDs are treated surgically with direct closure or a patch. Turkish public pediatric cardiology services document percutaneous ASD and VSD closure alongside pediatric cardiac surgery. That availability should not be generalized to every hospital or every defect.

Can a VSD Close on Its Own, and What Is a Ventricular Septal Aneurysm?

Some small VSDs can close spontaneously, so diagnosis does not automatically mean that surgery will be required. Current American Heart Association information states that small VSDs often close without an intervention. No medicine can make the opening close faster. After spontaneous closure, echocardiography can sometimes show a small bulge where the VSD previously existed. This finding is called a ventricular septal aneurysm. Despite its name, the AHA describes it as usually harmless in this specific setting. Recognizing this expected appearance can prevent unnecessary concern. Follow-up still depends on defect type and associated cardiac findings.

Why Must Pulmonary Hypertension Be Assessed Before Closing an Older ASD or VSD?

Pulmonary hypertension must be assessed because advanced pulmonary vascular disease can change whether ASD or VSD closure remains appropriate. Large left-to-right shunts can expose the pulmonary circulation to increased blood flow over time. Pulmonary vascular resistance can eventually rise in some untreated patients. Current adult congenital heart guidance therefore includes pulmonary hypertension within closure assessment and specialist management. In advanced irreversible pulmonary vascular disease, closing a VSD may no longer be recommended. Older patients can require cardiac catheterization or other hemodynamic assessment before intervention. Closure planning should therefore evaluate physiology rather than treating the septal opening alone.

What Happens During Surgical ASD / VSD Repair?

Surgical ASD or VSD repair closes the septal opening while protecting nearby valves, conduction tissue, and other cardiac structures. Open repair generally requires access to the heart and cardiopulmonary bypass. Surgeons may close selected defects directly with sutures. Other defects require a patch made from pericardium or surgical material. AHA information describes patch closure for both appropriate ASDs and larger VSDs. Heart tissue later grows over a VSD patch, making it part of the repaired septum. The operative strategy changes with defect location, associated abnormalities, previous interventions, patient age, and individual cardiac anatomy.

Does ASD / VSD Repair End the Need for Congenital Heart Follow-Up?

No, ASD or VSD repair does not always end the need for congenital cardiology follow-up. Current 2025 adult congenital heart guidance emphasizes continuing specialist care according to anatomical and physiological complexity. Follow-up can assess residual shunting, pulmonary pressure, heart function, valve changes, and abnormal rhythms. The required frequency differs considerably between patients. Current AHA information states uncomplicated repaired VSDs may need cardiology reviews only every few years. Patients with residual abnormalities require different monitoring. Adults repaired during childhood should retain operative records and tell future clinicians about their congenital diagnosis rather than considering the history medically irrelevant.

Which Problems Require Monitoring After ASD / VSD Repair?

Follow-up after ASD or VSD repair monitors residual defects, rhythm changes, valve problems, pulmonary pressure, and procedure-related issues. A small residual shunt can remain around a surgical patch or closure device. Selected VSD locations can also be associated with aortic valve leakage. Cardiac rhythm disturbances can occur in some patients after congenital heart procedures. Recent surgery also requires monitoring for wound, bleeding, infection, and recovery concerns. Endocarditis-prevention recommendations depend on the repair, residual defects, and time since treatment. Patients should receive individualized dental, activity, medication, and warning-symptom instructions before leaving specialist follow-up.

What Should International Patients Prepare Before ASD / VSD Surgery in Turkey?

International patients should provide complete congenital cardiac information before arranging ASD or VSD treatment in Turkey.

• Send recent echocardiography reports with original images when those files are available.

• Provide CT, cardiac MRI, or catheterization records when previous advanced assessment has occurred.

• Include earlier heart surgery, catheter closure, arrhythmia, and implanted-device documentation.

• Provide current medications and information about pulmonary hypertension, valve disease, or other congenital abnormalities.

• Arrange pediatric or adult congenital cardiology follow-up after returning to the home country.

The receiving team should determine whether new echocardiography or hemodynamic testing is necessary before treatment arrangements are finalized.

How Can International Patients Verify an ASD / VSD Provider in Turkey?

International patients can verify health-tourism authorization through current records published by Turkey's Ministry of Health. The authorized-provider page is dated July 28, 2026. Authorization confirms eligibility to provide international health-tourism services. It does not confirm pediatric cardiac surgery or congenital catheter capabilities at every listed hospital. Patients should verify the required service separately. The Ministry also announced TÜSKA accreditation requirements for specified authorized facilities by December 31, 2026. Authorization and accreditation do not guarantee individual outcomes. Clinical suitability still requires congenital cardiology and cardiovascular surgery assessment based on each patient's anatomy and physiology.

ASD / VSD Surgery in Turkey Cost 2026: What Affects the Total Cost?

ASD / VSD surgery in Turkey has no single 2026 cost because treatment requirements vary between individual patients. This page therefore provides no fixed treatment price. Costs can depend on surgical repair or catheter closure, imaging, catheterization, anesthesia, and hospitalization requirements. Patch repair and device closure involve different resources. Pulmonary hypertension assessment or other congenital abnormalities can create additional investigations. Intensive care, implanted materials, complications, and follow-up can also affect the financial plan. International patients should request an individualized written quotation after clinical review, with procedures, devices, hospital services, follow-up, and exclusions clearly identified.

This content provides general medical information and does not recommend ASD or VSD closure, a specific technique, healthcare provider, or clinical outcome. Congenital heart defects require individualized specialist assessment.

Last updated: August 14, 2026

Sources

• https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/congenital-heart-defects/about-congenital-heart-defects/atrial-septal-defect-asd

• https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/congenital-heart-defects/about-congenital-heart-defects/ventricular-septal-defect-vsd

• https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/congenital-heart-defects/about-congenital-heart-defects/patent-foramen-ovale-pfo

• https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/congenital-heart-defects/congenital-heart-defects-tools-and-resources/achd-guideline

• https://www.jacc.org/doi/10.1016/j.jacc.2025.09.006

• https://www.acc.org/latest-in-cardiology/articles/2023/05/30/10/47/clinical-practice-algorithm-for-the-follow-up-of-unrepaired-and-repaired-ventricular-septal-defects

• https://behcetuzch.saglik.gov.tr/EN-301837/pediatric-cardiology-clinic.html

• https://shgmturizmdb.saglik.gov.tr/EN-69061/authorized-healthcare-providers-and-facilitators.html

• https://shgmturizmdb.saglik.gov.tr/EN-108974/regulation-on-international-health-tourism-and-tourist-health.html

• https://shgmturizmdb.saglik.gov.tr/TR-117812/saglik-turizmi-yetki-belgesine-sahip-saglik-tesislerinin-dikkatine.html

• https://antalyaism.saglik.gov.tr/TR-366500/saglik-hizmetlerinde-tanitim-ve-bilgilendirme--faaliyetleri-hakkinda-yonetmelik.html