Cardiovascular Surgery in Turkey

When Can CABG Be Considered Instead of Coronary Stenting?

CABG can be considered instead of PCI when coronary anatomy, disease complexity, diabetes, or other clinical factors favor surgical revascularization. Angiography alone does not determine which treatment is appropriate. Current revascularization guidance recommends considering disease complexity and technical feasibility during decision-making. A multidisciplinary Heart Team can be particularly useful when the preferred strategy is uncertain. Selected patients with diabetes and multivessel coronary disease can have specific reasons for surgical assessment. Other patients may remain suitable for PCI or medical treatment. International patients should therefore provide original coronary angiography images, not only written reports, before requesting a surgical plan.

Which Blood Vessels Can Be Used for Coronary Bypass Grafts?

CABG can use arterial or venous grafts, and graft selection can influence the long-term revascularization strategy.

• Internal mammary artery: Current guidance continues to favor this arterial graft for the left anterior descending artery.

• Radial artery: The forearm artery can provide another arterial conduit for selected coronary targets.

• Saphenous vein: A vein from the leg remains another established bypass conduit.

• Multiple grafts: Multivessel coronary disease can require several bypass connections during one operation.

Importantly, current ACC/AHA/SCAI guidance prefers the radial artery over saphenous vein for a suitable second important target. Individual anatomy still determines conduit selection.

What Is the Difference Between On-Pump and Off-Pump CABG?

On-pump CABG uses cardiopulmonary bypass, while off-pump CABG creates bypass grafts without placing the patient on that machine. During conventional on-pump surgery, a heart-lung machine temporarily supports circulation while surgeons perform the planned grafting. Off-pump techniques allow surgeons to operate on the beating heart using stabilization methods. Neither approach should be presented as universally superior. Coronary anatomy, aortic disease, ventricular function, surgical strategy, and team experience can influence selection. Turkish public hospitals document conventional bypass surgery and selected minimally invasive approaches. Patients should ask why a particular operative strategy fits their individual coronary anatomy and risk profile.

How Are Heart Valve Repair and Valve Replacement Decisions Made?

Valve repair or replacement decisions depend on the affected valve, disease mechanism, severity, anatomy, symptoms, and ventricular function. Repair preserves the native valve when an appropriate and durable reconstruction appears feasible. Replacement introduces a prosthetic valve when repair is unsuitable or unlikely to meet the treatment objective. Mechanical and biological prostheses create different long-term considerations, including anticoagulation and future intervention planning. The 2025 ESC/EACTS valve guideline emphasizes multidisciplinary Heart Team assessment for complex valve disease. Catheter-based treatment can also enter the discussion for selected patients. Surgery should therefore not be planned from valve severity alone.

Which Aortic and Vascular Conditions Can Require Cardiovascular Surgery?

Cardiovascular surgery can address selected diseases of the aorta, carotid arteries, peripheral arteries, veins, and vascular access.

• Aortic aneurysm: Selected enlargements can require open or endovascular repair after anatomical and risk assessment.

• Aortic dissection: Certain dissections require urgent surgical evaluation because the aortic wall has separated.

• Carotid disease: Selected significant carotid narrowing can require surgical endarterectomy after neurological and vascular assessment.

• Peripheral arterial disease: Severe limb ischemia can require bypass, endovascular treatment, or another vascular strategy.

• Dialysis access: Cardiovascular surgeons can create and revise vascular access for selected dialysis patients.

The appropriate method depends on location, symptoms, anatomy, urgency, and alternative treatments.

What Should International Patients Prepare Before Cardiovascular Surgery in Turkey?

International patients should prepare complete cardiovascular records and confirm both clinical planning and regulatory status before traveling for surgery. Coronary angiography, CT, echocardiography, vascular imaging, ECGs, and laboratory results may require review. Previous bypass, valve, stent, pacemaker, or vascular operation records should also be provided. Current anticoagulants and antiplatelet medicines require careful perioperative assessment. Turkey's Ministry of Health publishes facilities authorized for international health-tourism services. The current provider list is dated July 28, 2026. Covered hospitals must also complete the announced TÜSKA accreditation requirement by December 31, 2026.

Cardiovascular Surgery in Turkey Cost 2026: What Affects the Total Cost?

Cardiovascular surgery in Turkey has no single 2026 cost because operations and clinical requirements differ substantially between patients. This page therefore provides no fixed treatment price. Costs can depend on CABG, valve, aortic, peripheral vascular, or combined surgical requirements. Preoperative imaging, graft planning, prosthetic valves, anesthesia, intensive care, hospitalization, and laboratory monitoring can affect the financial plan. Blood products, implanted materials, complications, or additional procedures can create further requirements. International patients should request an individualized written quotation after clinical assessment. The quotation should clearly identify surgery, devices, hospitalization, follow-up services, and exclusions.

This content provides general medical information and does not recommend cardiovascular surgery, a particular technique, healthcare provider, or clinical outcome. Treatment requires individualized assessment by qualified cardiovascular professionals.

Last updated: August 14, 2026

Sources

• https://www.acc.org/latest-in-cardiology/ten-points-to-remember/2021/12/08/21/19/2021-guideline-for-revascularization-gl-revasc

• https://www.acc.org/latest-in-cardiology/articles/2022/10/31/13/02/key-takeaways-from-the-2021-coronary-revascularization-guidelines

• https://www.escardio.org/guidelines/clinical-practice-guidelines/all-esc-practice-guidelines/valvular-heart-disease/

• https://www.escardio.org/news/press/press-releases/New-ESC-EACTS-Guidelines-Guidelines-for-Valvular-Heart-Disease-will-help-prevent-under-treatment-of-patients-and-support/

• https://mehmetakifersoyeah.saglik.gov.tr/TR-1490273/kalp-damar-cerrahi-klinigi.html

• https://camsakurasehir.saglik.gov.tr/TR-1212133/koroner-bypass-operasyonlari.html

• https://kosuyolueah.saglik.gov.tr/TR%2C369141/karotis-endarterektomi-ameliyati.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