Cardiac surgery at Koç University Hospital

Heart surgery at Koç University Hospital in Istanbul, Turkey, is performed by the cardiovascular surgery department of Koç University's teaching hospital. According to the hospital, the team performs beating-heart coronary bypass, heart valve repair and replacement, and surgery for aortic aneurysm and dissection. Paediatric cardiac surgery is listed as a separate specialty of the hospital on HealthTürkiye, the Turkish Ministry of Health portal.

What heart operations are done at Koç University Hospital

The cardiovascular surgery department at Koç University Hospital operates on adults and children; the Turkish Ministry of Health portal HealthTürkiye lists adult and paediatric cardiovascular surgery separately for the hospital. According to the hospital, the department's main operations are:

• off-pump (beating-heart) coronary artery bypass grafting — a new route for blood around a narrowed coronary artery, without stopping the heart or using a heart-lung machine;

• heart valve repair and replacement — restoring the patient's own valve or replacing it with a prosthesis;

• aortic surgery — operations for aortic aneurysm (widening) and aortic dissection;

• paediatric cardiac surgery — correction of congenital heart defects.

Whether surgery is needed, and which operation, is decided by a cardiologist and a cardiac surgeon after reviewing your tests. Cardiology is a separate department of the same hospital.

Who operates

The hospital's cardiac surgeons include Professor Atıf Akçevin, who specialises in adult and paediatric cardiac surgery. According to the hospital, his clinical interests include coronary bypass, valve and aortic surgery, transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) and congenital heart defects, including in adults. More details are on his doctor profile.

The hospital where you would have surgery

Koç University Hospital is a university teaching and research hospital in Topkapı (Zeytinburnu), on the European side of Istanbul, opened in 2014. It has 426 beds according to the hospital and the Turkish Ministry of Health, and 23 operating rooms according to the hospital. Of its 55 intensive care beds, 8 are for cardiovascular surgery, according to the hospital.

What to send for an initial assessment

For a cardiac surgeon to assess your case before you travel, they need records about your heart, not just a diagnosis:

• a cardiologist's report with your diagnosis and current medication;

• coronary angiography — the recording on a disc and the report, if you have had one;

• an echocardiogram (heart ultrasound) report and a recent ECG;

• cardiac or aortic CT or MRI on a disc, if done;

• details of other conditions: diabetes, kidney disease, a previous stroke or heart attack.

If you have not had an angiogram, the cardiac surgeon may request one separately.

How long to stay in Istanbul

It depends on the operation, the surgical approach and your recovery. The hospital gives the length of stay in the treatment plan after reviewing your records. We do not quote a number of days without that plan.

For international patients

International patients of the Koç Healthcare group are looked after by an international patient coordinator, and according to the hospital, interpreting is available in 22 languages. The hospital works with international insurers, including Aetna, Allianz Partners, AXA Global, Bupa Global, Cigna International and United Healthcare Global; check cover for your operation with your insurer.