Aortic Valve Replacement Surgery in Turkey: Cost & Leading Doctors

Aortic valve replacement surgery is a procedure that restores normal blood flow and helps prevent severe complications caused by a damaged or malfunctioning aortic valve. When medications and heart valve repair do not yield the desired results, doctors recommend aortic valve replacement surgery as the best course for treatment. It is a minimally invasive procedure to replace the damaged or diseased aortic valve with an artificial or biological one. According to some studies, the survival rate after an aortic valve replacement surgery in Turkey is approximately 96% at 1 year, 92% at 5 years, and 83% at 10 years.

For those needing access to high-quality cardiac care at a more affordable price compared to Western prices, aortic valve replacement surgery in Turkey might be the best option. Aortic valve replacement surgery in Turkey offers world-class and result-orientated services at affordable costs, making it a top treatment choice for international patients. With advanced technology, the best aortic valve replacement surgeons, and comprehensive care, Turkey has emerged as an excellent place for those seeking heart valve replacement surgery. Cities like Istanbul, Antalya, and Izmir are known for offering cost-effective cardiac treatment without compromising on quality or safety. This page will be your guide to everything you need to know about undergoing cardiac surgeries such as aortic valve replacement in Turkey.

What are the Indications for Aortic Valve Replacement Surgery in Turkey?

Aortic valve replacement surgery is recommended when the aortic valve becomes severely damaged and treatments, such as medication or valve repair, are no longer effective. While several symptoms point to the need for surgery, the procedure is indicated for patients with the following conditions:

• Aortic Stenosis: A narrowing of the aortic valve that restricts blood flow from the heart to the rest of the body.
• Aortic Regurgitation: A condition where the valve fails to close correctly, causing blood to leak backward into the heart.
• Congenital Valve Defects: Structural abnormalities present from birth that affect the normal aortic valve function.
• Infective Endocarditis: A bacterial infection that damages the heart valves and leads to serious complications.

Severe aortic valve disease can lead to symptoms such as chest pain, breathlessness, fatigue, fainting, and heart failure. If you leave them untreated, these conditions can become life-threatening, making timely intervention crucial. Hence, the sooner you go for aortic valve replacement surgery in Turkey, the better it will be for your heart health. 

What are the Different Aortic Valve Replacement Surgery Procedures in Turkey? 

Aortic valve replacement is a surgical procedure where diseased or damaged aortic valves are replaced with prosthetic ones. While traditional open-heart surgery remains a standard method, many clinics in Turkey now offer advanced and minimally invasive techniques that reduce complications and speed up recovery. Below are the main types of aortic valve replacement procedures available in Turkey:

■ Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement:

This traditional open-heart surgery involves removing and replacing the damaged valve with a mechanical or biological one. SAVR is widely performed in Turkey and remains one of the most common type of aortic valve replacement surgeries in Turkey. It has a high success rate, with studies reporting outcomes with around 97% success for eligible patients. 

■ Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement:

TAVR is a minimally invasive procedure suitable for patients who are considered high-risk or unsuitable for open-heart surgeries. Here, a new valve is delivered via a catheter through the femoral artery and implanted within the existing valve without the need to open the chest. TAVR is increasingly popular in Turkey due to its shorter recovery time and lower surgical risk.

■ Ross Procedure:

Ross procedure is a specialised and complex surgical procedure that involves using the patient’s own pulmonary valve to replace their diseased aortic valve. A donor valve is then used to replace the pulmonary valve. The Ross procedure is preferred for younger patients due to its durability and the advantage of avoiding long-term blood thinners. This operation requires ultimate precision and is handled by Turkey's best doctors for aortic valve replacement. 

■ Homograft and Xenograft Valve Replacement:

In this procedure, surgeons use human donor valves known as homograft or animal tissues such as xenograft for a more natural valve replacement. This procedure is less complicated and offers a faster than with mechanical valve replacements, though the lifespan of these valves may be shorter.

What is the Step-by-step Procedure for Aortic Valve Replacement Surgery in Turkey?

The hospitals in Turkey are known for hosting the best doctors for aortic valve replacement who perform these advanced heart-related surgeries with excellent outcomes. Here is the step-by-step procedure for  aortic valve replacement surgery in Turkey: 

• Step 1: You will be administered general anaesthesia to ensure you are completely comfortable and pain-free during the procedure.
• Step 2: Our best aortic valve replacement surgeons in Turkey will make an incision in your chest to access your heart, usually through a median sternotomy (splitting the breastbone) or a minimally invasive approach.
• Step 3: Your circulation and oxygenation will be supported by a cardiopulmonary bypass machine. This machine will temporarily take over the function of your heart and lungs and enable your surgeon to operate on a still and bloodless heart.
• Step 4: The surgeon will carefully access your heart through the incision and assess the extent of damage or disease.
• Step 5: The damaged or narrowed aortic valve is then carefully removed to prepare for replacement.
• Step 6: The chosen prosthetic valve (mechanical or bioprosthetic) is securely implanted in this step. The choice of the valve depends on your age, lifestyle, and medical history.
• Step 7: The surgeon will test the new valve to ensure it's functioning correctly and allowing optimal blood flow through the heart.
• Step 8: Once the valve replacement is complete and we are ensured that the new valve is functioning properly, you will be gradually weaned off the heart-lung machine, and your heart will resume its normal pumping function.
• Step 9: The chest incision is closed using sutures or staples. After the surgery, you’ll be moved to ICU for close monitoring for around 24-48 hours. Once stable, you’ll be transferred to a regular hospital room to begin your recovery and rehabilitation.

How is Recovery After Aortic Valve Replacement in Turkey?

During the initial days following an aortic valve replacement surgery in Turkey, your surgeon will provide pain medications as required. They will further evaluate your blood pressure, respiration, and heart function to monitor your progress and response to the treatment. Depending on your rate of healing and the type of surgery that was done, a full recovery after the procedure might take a period of a few weeks to several months. You must make sure to follow your dietary instructions and other restrictions provided by your doctor for an optimal recovery. 

During this time, try to avoid performing any strenuous activities and take the necessary drugs provided by your surgeons to help prevent infections. Consult your doctor right away if you experience symptoms of any infection or discomfort. Your doctor will determine the timing of your recovery during follow-up visits, which you must attend. Ensure you are prepared with a care team for the initial period after the surgery. Ask family and friends to assist you around the house as you heal and drive you to doctor’s appointments. Here’s what you can expect from recovery and aftercare:

• Hospital Stay: Typically, 5-10 days post-surgery.
• Rehabilitation: Cardiac rehabilitation programmes are recommended for 6-12 weeks.
• Medications: Blood thinners are necessary for mechanical valve recipients.
• Lifestyle Adjustments: Regular exercise, a heart-healthy diet, and regular follow-up consultations ensure long-term success.

Why Choose Turkey for Aortic Valve Replacement Surgery?

Turkey is a preferred destination for aortic valve replacement surgery due to several factors, ranging from high-quality hospitals in cities like Antalya, Istanbul, and Izmir. Turkey also has some of the best doctors for aortic valve replacement, trained in international standards to provide maximum treatment accuracy. These factors combined contribute to the high success rates of cardiac treatment procedures in Turkey.

However, the most attractive feature is still the affordable cost of aortic valve replacement surgery in Turkey, which is much lower than in the UK, USA, and Australia. In Turkey, the advanced treatments like Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement cost around $15,000 - $25,000, while the price of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement ranges from $26,000 - $31,000.

These treatment prices include hospitalisation, surgeon fees, follow-up care, and additional medical needs. Some of the additional benefits that you can avail by choosing Turkish hospitals are as follows: 

• Advanced Medical Facilities: These Turkish hospitals are equipped with state-of-the-art technology and are JCI-accredited to provide the best care for needy patients.
• Experienced Cardiothoracic Surgeons: They boast highly skilled specialists with international training and extensive experience in performing cardiac surgeries.
• Affordable Treatment Costs: Turkish treatment costs are significantly lower than in Western countries without compromising quality.
• Comprehensive Patient Care: The treatment includes preoperative assessment, surgery, postoperative rehabilitation, and follow-up care.
• Medical Tourism Support: Most Turkish hospitals partner with CureTurkey to provide visa assistance, accommodation, transportation, and interpretation services for international patients.