Heart Bypass Surgery in Turkey: Cost, Best Doctors & VISA Assistance

Heart bypass or coronary artery bypass surgery is the most common and effective treatment option for coronary artery diseases. This surgical procedure restores blood flow to areas of your heart that aren’t receiving enough oxygen due to blocked arteries. Artery blockages often tend to cut off the blood supply to the heart, causing heart attacks or heart attack-like symptoms. In such situations, timely surgical intervention can be of lifesaving nature. CABG can improve your heart function, especially in patients with severe blockages, such as three-vessel disease. If the patient has experienced heart attack or has two-vessel disease with specific characteristics, CABG can be ideal for you. 

Now, if you are planning to undergo coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) treatment or a Robotic bypass surgery in Turkey, then you must know some of the intricate details regarding the procedure. CABG is a standard surgical procedure, with about 200,000 such procedures performed every year, primarily in older men, with the average patient age being around 66. In fact, about 72% of those undergoing this surgery are men with a history of heart attack or CAD.

You don’t have to worry about the procedure because it's safe and ensures successful outcomes in 99% of cases. When the artery has one or two blockages, CABG is performed. But to access this treatment and medical attention at the right time, you have to choose heart bypass surgery in Turkey. Turkey has a wealth of experience with cardiovascular surgery, with numerous skilled medical professionals and hospitals like American Hospital (Istanbul) and Medicana providing top-notch care for international patients travelling to access affordable cardiovascular treatment. 

What are the Indications for Undergoing Heart Bypass Surgery in Turkey? 

The need for coronary artery bypass surgery is determined through diagnostic tests such as coronary angiography, which reveals blockages in the coronary arteries caused by atherosclerotic plaques. In some cases, patients might not exhibit symptoms but are later diagnosed utilising tools like electrocardiography or Holter monitoring.

These further aid professional doctors in identifying significant obstructions that can lead to acute cardiovascular events. When a high degree of coronary artery disease is detected, coronary artery bypass grafting surgery becomes the most recommended course of treatment for patients:

• Severe coronary artery disease with significant blockages
• Blockage of the left main coronary artery.
• Inadequate response to medical therapy or failed PCI (Percutaneous Coronary Intervention)
• High-risk patients with complex coronary anatomy
• Impaired function of the left ventricle
• Significant left main coronary artery disease
• Coronary artery blockages unresponsive to angioplasty
• Multi vessel disease with reduced left ventricular function
• Persistent Chest pain, despite medical treatment
• History of myocardial infarction, particularly if there are severe lesions

Coronary artery bypass surgery is most successful when blood circulation blood flow beyond the narrowed arteries is still adequate. Primary Indications for heart bypass surgery in Turkey are:

• Narrowing the lumen of any coronary artery by 75% or more
• Reducing the lumen of the left coronary artery by 50% or more

There are cases where Coronary artery bypass surgery may not be performed in patients, even when the surgical intervention is indicated. The presence of contraindications like congestive heart failure and impaired blood flow to the coronary arteries can make the surgical intervention too dangerous or inconclusive.

What are the Different Procedures for Heart Bypass Surgery, CABG in Turkey? 

While there is no single method for performing coronary artery bypass surgery, Turkish clinics that are known for their world-famous cardiac surgeons utilise a variety of highly precise techniques. This results in 97% of success rate, where 90% of patients who have undergone bypass surgery survive for more than five years, and approximately 75% beyond ten years.

The surgical technique chosen depends on factors such as the patient’s overall health, the number of blocked arteries, age, and risks:

■ Open Heart Bypass Surgery with Extracorporeal Circulation:

This is one of the most traditional and classic methods used for heart bypass surgery in Turkey. This procedure involves temporarily stopping the patient’s heart with a cooling solution. During this time, a heart-lung machine takes over the functions of heart and lungs to ensure blood circulation and oxygenation  throughout the body. This further enables the surgeon to perform the procedure on a stationary heart, offering excellent visibility. 

■ Off-Pump Bypass Surgery:

This is a modern alternative to conventional coronary artery bypass surgery performed in Turkey. This technique enables the surgeon to operate without stopping the heart or resorting to extracorporeal circulation. During this procedure, the surgeon uses a specialised device to stabilise the operating area while keeping the heart beating. This surgical technique comes with a limited risk of inflammation and neurological complications. This technique is ideal for:&

• Elderly patients
• Increased risk of stroke and kidney damage
• Cases with simple bypasses (one or two vessels)

■ Minimally Invasive Surgery:

This procedure involves assessing the heart through small, precise incisions, without fully opening the sternum. It is used for single bypass operations, particularly between the left internal mammary artery and the anterior interventricular artery (LAD). This coronary artery bypass surgery comes with several benefits, like:

• Less postoperative pain
• Less scarring
• Faster recovery

■ Robotic Assisted Coronary Bypass Surgery:

This is one of the most innovative techniques used in Turkish hospitals. It utilises robotic systems and is named robotic bypass surgery in Turkey. Robotic bypass surgery in Turkey enables surgeons to operate with great precision through tiny incisions. While this method of treatment is not widely used, except for carefully selected ones, Turkish clinics with advanced infrastructure and world-famous cardiac surgeons offer this treatment method that provides less operative pain and faster recovery.

What is the Step-by-step Procedure for Heart Bypass Surgery in Turkey?

Are you considering undergoing CABG or heart bypass surgery in Turkey? Here’s a clear overview of what each stage of the treatment might look like.The procedure is performed by a cardiovascular surgeon who is trained internationally and supported by a team of specialists, including anesthesiologists, surgical nurses, and perfusionists.

• Step 1: You will receive general anaesthesia to ensure your comfort and suffer minimal pain during the surgical procedure. The surgery generally lasts three to six hours in a well-equipped operating room. 
• Step 2: A medical professional will place a breathing tube in your mouth. This tube is connected to a ventilator, a breathing apparatus. This helps you breathe during the surgery while you're under anesthesia.
• Step 3: The surgeon makes a long incision down the middle of the chest along the sternum. The breastbone is then carefully divided to allow access to the heart.
• Step 4: Your surgeon will spread the rib cage to expose the heart, which will be briefly stopped. A heart-lung machine is activated to take over the function of pumping and oxygenating the blood during the procedure.
• Step 5: The surgeon removes a healthy blood vessel  from the leg, chest wall, or arm. This vessel will serve as the graft to bypass the blocked artery.
• Step 6: The harvested vessel is carefully sutured to the coronary artery, just beyond the blockage. The other end is connected to the aorta or another major artery, creating a new route for blood to flow to the heart muscle.
• Step 7: Once the graft is in place, the heart is restarted, and the heart-lung machine is turned off. The surgeon then ensures proper blood flow through the new bypass.
• Step 8: The breastbone is then wired back together, and the chest incision is closed using sutures or staples. A sterile dressing is applied, and drainage tubes are placed to prevent fluid buildup.

How is Recovery After Heart Bypass Surgery in Turkey?

Post surgery, you need to remain in the hospital for around 5-7 days, depending on your heath and recovery progress. During this time, you will receive pain management support, gradual breathing resumption, and gentle mobilisation. After the coronary artery bypass surgery, you will remain under ventilation for a while, and the professional team of surgeons will monitor you. Recovery after CABG on the open heart involves meticulous care for the postoperative wound, with the skin, which takes about 1-2 weeks to heal. Refrain from doing strenuous activities and maintain a schedule for taking the medications following the doctor’s instructions. You must visit for a postoperative check to monitor your response and progress after the treatment.

Why Choose Turkey for Heart Bypass Surgery or CABG?

Turkey is renowned for successfully treating various cardiovascular diseases. With top-of-the-line infrastructure, world-famous cardiac surgeons, and internationally accredited hospitals, Turkey offers the best cardiovascular treatment at an affordable cost.

Unlike the UK, the USA, and Australia which charge over $34,000 for a treatment. Turkey is a safer and more affordable destination, with treatment prices typically ranging from $5,000 to $14,000. There are additional advantages that make Turkey an attractive option for patients seeking cost-effective care:

• World-class healthcare infrastructure and facilities
• Exceptionally skilled urologist and kidney specialists
• Higher cost-efficiency
• Excellent travel opportunity
• Expert guidance and financial assistance