Mitral Valve Replacement Cost in Turkey

What is Mitral Valve Replacement Surgery Cost in Turkey?

The rate of cardiac diseases is increasing rapidly, as a result of which mitral valve replacement surgery has become the most frequently performed heart surgery in Turkey.

The average cost of mitral valve replacement surgery in Turkey ranges between USD 15500 and USD 17500. This includes the price of the prosthetic valve, anaesthesia and OT charges, any medical consumables, surgeon fees and a hospital stay for 3-7 days.

What is Mitral Valve Replacement Surgery?

The heart consists of valves within its chambers. These valves control the speed of blood flow and prevent it from flowing backwards.

Mitral valve maintains blood flow to the left ventricle and ensures that oxygen-rich blood does not flow back into the left atrium.

Some of the common complications in mitral valve are as follows:

Mitral valve regurgitation

In this heart condition, the mitral valve fails to close properly and backward leakage of blood into the left atrium of the heart is seen. 

These lead to symptoms such as shortness of breath, persistent chest pain, irregular heartbeat, and dizziness.

Mitral valve stenosis

In this condition, the mitral valve gets narrow and stiffened due to which it is unable to open or close properly. This stiffening is caused as a result of calcification or some genetic disorder, a condition known as mitral stenosis. 

Mitral valve prolapse/Barlow syndrome

In this condition, the flaps of mitral valves get enlarged or stretched. During contraction of cardiac muscles, these enlarged flaps bulge out, This is prolapse leading to leakage of blood into the left atrium.

To treat these conditions and their associated symptoms, cardiac surgeons perform mitral valve replacement surgery. During this procedure, they replace the damaged valve. The two types of prosthertic valve used are:

Mechanical Valves: Prepared from artificial materials, usually pyrolite carbon, covered in a polyester knit fabric ring, these mechanical valves are durable and can last a lifetime. However, patients with mechanical valves need anticoagulants to prevent blood clots. 

Prosthetic Valves: These are extracted from biological tissue or animal valves. It doesn’t require lifelong blood-thinning medication. However, they may degrade over time and hence need to be replaced.

What are the Types of Mitral Valve Replacement Surgery?

Based on the invasiveness of the approach, the mitral valve replacement surgery can be categorised into the following types-

Surgical mitral valve replacement

This is a conventional method in which cardiac surgeons create large incisions in the patient’s chest to access the mitral heart valve. Then, prosthetic valve replaces the damaged mitral valve.

Because it’s an open-heart surgery, the cardiac surgeon can see the inside of the heart directly and then carry out the surgical procedure.

Minimal invasive mitral valve replacement

This technique involves making small incisions to perform mitral valve replacement surgery. These minimal incisions lead to quicker recovery times and lower the risk of infection due to reduced exposure.

Transcatheter mitral valve replacement/implantation (TAVR/TAVI)

This is an advanced and minimally invasive technique. A cardiac surgeon inserts a catheter into the heart to deliver a prosthetic valve, which pushes the damaged valve at the back.

What are the Key Factors that Affect the Mitral Valve Replacement Surgery Cost in Turkey?

The cost considerations for mitral valve replacement surgery enable cardiac patients and their families to plan the treatment, explore any cost-saving options, and prepare for any unexpected financial strain that may arise from urgent medical needs.

The key factors affecting the mitral valve replacement cost in Turkey are listed below.

Type of prosthetic valve used 

The cost associated with the mitral valve replacement surgery procedure may vary based on the selection of valve type which could be mechanical or biological valves. Certain valves may be costly due to their particular design, like self-expandable or balloon-expandable models.

Hospital reputation and cardiac surgeon expertise

Top cardiac hospitals in Turkey provide better services that may add some expenses to the overall treatment. At the same time, experienced cardiac surgeons at top hospitals may charge extra fees for ensuring comprehensive care to their cardiac patients.

Additional stay at hospital/ICU

Some cardiac complexities may require additional care at the ICU for post-operative care. This additional ICU stay costs around USD 250 to USD 400 on a per-day basis.

What are the Costs Associated with Mitral Valve Replacement Before and After the Procedure?

Before mitral valve replacement, cardiac surgeons perform various health check-ups and examinations to analyse the extent of the mitral valve damage. After the surgery, follow-ups are necessary to ensure that the prosthetic valve is functioning efficiently, these costs can be summed up as follows:

• Pre-procedural examination cost (complete blood count, echocardiogram, electrocardiogram, coronary angiography, CT scan, heart cath, nuclear stress test, etc.): USD 300 to USD 400

• Post-procedural cost (follow-up consultations and medications): USD 250 to USD 400

What is Mitral Valve Replacement Cost in Turkey Vs. Other Countries?

What should Post-Mitral Valve Replacement Surgery Care be?

Prosthetic valve replacement carries a higher risk of infection and complications compared to natural valves. Hence, regular monitoring is crucial during the initial weeks. Turkey's National Health Policy prioritises cardiovascular prevention through nationwide promotion of healthy lifestyles. Some of the recommendations are as follows:

Regular Follow-ups

Patients should visit their cardiac surgeons regularly for detecting and addressing potential complications, ensuring a healthy recovery.

Limit Strenuous Activities

Patients should allow their body to heal and adjust to the new valve. Hence, heavy lifting and intense exercise should be avoided during the initial recovery phase.

Monitor for Infection

Patients should be vigilant for signs of infection, such as fever or chills. If noticed, it should be reported to prevent prosthetic valve endocarditis.

Attend Cardiac Rehabilitation

Specialised cardiac rehabilitation programs in Turkish hospitals offer supervised exercise and dietary guidance to aid recovery and minimise future heart complications.