Turkey: An Apple of the Eye of Medical Tourism!
If you’re planning a vacation abroad, then Turkey is a great option. But what if the country offers high-quality, affordable treatment to you? Wouldn’t be it a bundle of vacation and medical treatment for you?
Turkey is one of the fascinating countries where a tourist finds peace and serenity in beautiful beaches, blue voyage tours, historical & religious sites, world heritage sites and more. In addition to holidaying in Turkey, the country offers a variety of treatment options in different medical specialties such as heart surgery, cosmetic & plastic surgery, spine surgery, etc.
Which are the world's top medical tourism countries?
Out of all medical treatments available, heart surgery is one such treatment that has the highest success rate in Turkey. Highly-experienced medical personnel and hospitals equipped with technological intelligence have made successful heart disorders treatment possible in Turkey. Millions of medical tourists come to Turkey for their medical treatment annually which will exponentially increase in the upcoming years. Low-cost treatment and zero waiting times are the factors majorly attracting medical tourists especially from countries with no-paid-for state medical system. Now, let’s dive into the medical tourism world of Turkey and see how the country proves to be beneficial for heart surgery patients.
Under what health conditions a surgeon performs heart surgery?
Heart surgery is a surgical solution that cures heart problems when other surgical and non-surgical treatments don’t work out. Doctors prefer heart surgery to:
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Repair damaged heart valves that control blood flow through the heart.
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Repair damaged structures in the heart.
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Implant medical devices to controlling the arrhythmic heartbeat or cure blood flow and retrieve heart function.
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Replace a damaged heart with a healthy one with the help of a donor. This process is ‘Heart Transplantation’.
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Treat heart arrhythmia.
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Cure coronary heart disease, heart failure, and other heart problems.
Read: Heart Surgery, Types, Risks, Recovery and more.
What are the major heart surgeries required to cure heart disorders?
Coronary Artery Bypass: It is the most common type of heart surgery in which the healthy section of the blood vessel from another body part such as arm, leg or chest is extracted to bypass a blocked or diseased coronary artery. This bypass creates a new route for blood flow so that oxygen-rich blood flows from and to the heart. During this surgery, the breastbone is divided, the heart is stopped and put on beating mode using the heart-lung machine. The surgery is also named as bypass, double bypass, triple bypass, or quadruple bypass according to the number of arteries to be bypassed. The average cost of coronary artery bypass grafting is around USD 14,000.
Valve Repair or Replacement: This surgery is carried out when there is one or more diseased heart valves - tricuspid valve, pulmonary valve, mitral valve or aortic valve. There are two conditions when heart valves become dysfunctional - valve stenosis (stiffness) and valve regurgitation (leaky valve).
When either of the valves become stenotic, the heart has to pump the blood harder through the valve. Valves become widened and stiffed from infection. If one or more valves become leaky, then blood flows backward leading to blood flow in the wrong direction. Based on your heart condition and symptoms, the doctor decides whether the diseased valve needs to be replaced or repaired. The heart valve replacement in Turkey costs around USD 10,000 - USD 27,000.
The average fee for heart valve replacement in Turkey is almost 7 times less than in the United States.
Arrhythmia Surgery: When there is irregular heart beating, whether it is too slow or fast, then the doctor recommends prefer to treat it with medicines initially. However, other treatments are:
- Electrical cardioversion, in which the surgeon uses paddles to shock the heart back to its normal rhythm.
- Catheter Ablation, when the surgeon uses a special device to ablate the cells causing irregular heart beating.
- Pacing and Rhythm control devices, in which pacemakers and implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) are implanted.
When these treatments fail, doctors perform surgery. In this case, ‘Maze’ surgery is performed in which a ‘maze’ of new electrical pathways is created to let the electrical impulses travel through the heart. Maze surgery is used to treat arrhythmia called atrial fibrillation.
Aneurysm Repair: An aneurysm is a balloon-like bulge in a blood vessel or in the wall of the heart. An aneurysm occurs when the wall of a blood vessel or heart is weakened. It needs to be repaired before it bursts as the pressure from the blood forces it to bulge outwards. The surgery involves repairing or replacing the weakened section of the blood vessel or heart with a patch or artificial tube. The cost of Aneurysm repair surgery in Turkey varies from USD 3,420 to USD 6,180.
Heart Transplantation: When all treatments fail or the patient is at the end-stage failure or severe coronary artery disease, then heart transplantation is carried out. A heart transplant needs to occur within four hours of organ removal for the donor organ to stay usable. The average cost of a heart transplant in Turkey is around USD 442,940.
7 Reasons To Opt Turkey For Heart Surgery!
Hospitals in Turkey provide excellent medical and surgical facilities to patients worldwide if you wish to have heart surgery abroad.
Following is a list of reasons why one should travel down to Turkey for heart surgery:
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Experienced and Qualified Medical Personnel
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The surgeons and doctors in Turkey are well-trained from recognized, prestigious institutions in the world. The medical achievements by Turkish surgeons are well-recognized and appreciated throughout the world.
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They are well-versed with the latest cardiological procedures and categorized according to their specialties such as non-invasive, invasive, interventional and electrophysiologists.
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Non-invasive doctors treat heart disorders using non-surgical treatments, while invasive cardiologists are well-versed with cardiac procedures like angiography.
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Interventional cardiologists are experts in performing procedures like coronary angioplasty, while electrophysiologists are clinical doctors who specialize in treating heart rhythm disorders such as cardiac ablation.
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There are cardiac surgeons who are experts in performing cardiological procedures such as open-heart surgery, coronary artery bypass surgery, heart valve replacement, heart transplant, etc.
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Medical Centers and Institutions
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The hospitals in Turkey are well-facilitated with the latest technology and advancements to treat heart conditions such as myocardial infarction, cardiomyopathy, etc. The hospitals are well-equipped with the latest technological intelligence and cutting-edge devices such as cardioversion, resynchronization therapy for heart failure, catheter ablation for heart arrhythmias, AICD implantation and more.
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Also, many Turkish hospitals have collaborated with international hospitals such as Anadolu Medical Center with John Hopkins Medicine International, Acibadem Hospital with Harvard Medical International, Memorial Health Group being the first hospital to join the American Hospital Association, and Sisli Florence Nightingale Hospital is certified by TUV Rheinland Germany and the list continues.
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This international collaboration has proven to be profitable for the medical industry in Turkey. There are more than 50 JCI (Joint Commission International) hospitals in Turkey including Acibadem Group, Medical Healthcare Group, Medical Park Group and many more. Other than JCI, there are SAS (Standards of Accreditation in Health) accredited hospitals by the Turkish Ministry of Health.
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Medical Tourism
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More than 1.7 million medical tourists travel down to Turkey annually. These statistics help in deriving a remarkable amount of revenue every year making Turkey one of the top destinations for medical tourism.
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Also, the surgical treatments done by doctors in Turkey using the latest techniques and methods cost patients less than Europe and the USA.
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Medical Specialties:
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The hospitals in Turkey have individual departments for various medical specialties including plastic & aesthetic surgery, hair transplantation, eye surgery, open-heart surgery, IVF & gynecology, cancer treatment, brain surgery, orthopedics, dentistry, skin diseases, and more.
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These departments are run by a team of highly-experienced medical personnel providing low-cost healthcare facilities meeting international standards.
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‘Cost’ Factor:
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The ‘cost’ factor plays an important role in rising medical tourism in Turkey. The medical activities carried out in Turkish hospitals use the techniques and technologies of the same standards as in the developed countries, but with lower costs.
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For example, the cost of IVF is 15 to 16 thousand dollars in the USA, while it is only 2.600 dollars in Turkey. Open heart surgeries cost around 25.000 Euros in European countries, while it is only 600 Euros in Turkey. Also, the medical centers in Turkey keep abreast of the latest developments in the USA and Europe.
Most surgeries are 90 percent cheaper in Turkey as compared to other parts of the globe.
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Government’s Role in Supporting Healthcare:
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In the last few decades, the healthcare industry in Turkey has made advancements in providing medical facilities with the help of well-facilitated hospitals under experienced medical staff.
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The Turkish Ministry of Health has been able to set up various health campuses, medical institutions, medical colleges & universities, hi-tech R&D centers across Turkey. Ankara, Antalya and Istanbul are the main regions to be focused on due to its great architecture and culture.
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Air Connectivity:
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There are 57 airports across the country offering domestic and international services with Istanbul Ataturk airport, being the country’s biggest airport serving the highest number of passengers.
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Apart from Turkish airlines, Onus Air, Atlas Global, Emirates offer great Intra and inter air connectivity. Turkish Airlines flies to more than 300 destinations which is a big asset.
Cost of Heart Surgery in Turkey
The cost differs according to the hospital, experience of surgeons and hospital stay. Following is the list of the cost of different cardiological procedures, famous surgeons and hospitals.
Hospital: Hisar Intercontinental Hospital
Surgeons: Prof. Ali Fedakar, Prof. Mustafa Saglam, Assoc. Prof. Ibrahim Halil Tanboga
Cardiac Procedure | Price | Hospital Stay |
Angiogram | 800 US$ | 1 Day |
Angioplasty - 1 Stent | 1,500 US$ | 1 Day |
Angioplasty - 2 Stent | 2,400 US$ | 1 Day |
Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) Closure - Device | 6,000 US$ | 2 Days |
Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) Closure - Surgical | 4,500 US$ | 5 Days |
Bentall Surgery | 22,000 US$ | 10 Days |
Coronary Angiography Bypass (CABG) | 7,000-10,000 US$ | 7 Days |
Redo Coronary Angiography Bypass | 9,000-11,000 US$ | 14 Days |
Total Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) | 38,000-45,000 US$ | |
Aortic Valve Repair | 10,000 US$ | 10 Days |
Aortic Valve Replacement | 12,000 US$ | 10 Days |
Dual Valve Replacement (DVR) | 16,000 US$ | 10 Days |
Hospital: Koc University Hospital
Surgeons: Prof. Semih Barlas, Prof. Zümrüt Tuba Demirözü MD
Procedure | Price |
Aortic Aneurysm Surgery | 3,100-3,800 US$ |
Balloon Valvuloplasty | 18,900-22,700 US$ |
Coronary Angiography | 2,700-3,200 US$ |
Coronary Angioplasty | 2,700-3,200 US$ |
Heart Bypass | 13,800-16,600 US$ |
Pacemaker Implant | 33,300-40,000 US$ |
Valve Replacement | 27,300-32,800 US$ |
Aortic Valve Replacement | 27,300-32,800 US$ |
CABG | Upon Request |
Hospital: Istanbul Memorial Hospital
Surgeons: Prof. Sabri Demircan, MD Ozgur Kaplan
Procedure | Price |
CABG | 9,300 US$ |
Coronary Angiography | 660 US$ |
Pacemaker Implant (Dual Chamber) | 6,200-8,800 US$ |
Pacemaker Implant (Single Chamber) | 8,800 US$ |
Aortic Valve Replacement | 8,300-9,900 US$ |
Mitral Valve Replacement | 9,300 US$ |
Hospital: Avcilar Hospital
Surgeon: Prof. Dr. Gurkan Cetin
Procedure | Price | Hospital Stay |
Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) | 5,335-7,887 US$ | 7 Days |
CABG - Three Veins | 6,852 US$ | |
CABG - Two Veins | 6,112 US$ | |
CABG - One Vein | 5,335 US$ | |
CABG - Four Veins | 7,887 US$ | |
Coronary Angiography | 1,745 US$ | |
Coronary Angioplasty (Balloon/Single Vein) | 2,420 US$ | 1 Day |
Coronary Angioplasty (Stent/Single Vein) | 2,852 US$ | 1 Day |
Heart Surgery: Purpose, Procedure, and Prevention
Heart surgery is a major surgical procedure that demands a stay of at least 7-10 days in the hospital. This also includes a day in the intensive care unit immediately after the surgery.
Also, there are many types of heart surgery and therefore, the experience varies from person to person, degree of severity and the type of surgery.
Basically, there is a situation when you have a planned surgery where the entire medical team discusses with you about the whole procedure. On the contrary, there comes a situation when you’re diagnosed with a heart ailment and need emergency heart surgery. In such scenarios, you’re admitted right away for the treatment.
Before the surgery | During the surgery | After the surgery |
The patient has to undergo some tests including electrocardiogram (ECG), chest x-rays and blood tests. | The duration of heart surgery varies according to the type of heart surgery - Traditional open-heart surgery, On-Pump Heart Surgery, Off-Pump Heart Surgery, Minimally Invasive Heart Surgery. CABG, being the most common one, takes about 3-6 hours. | After the surgery, the patient is shifted to the intensive care unit (ICU) and given an oxygen mask to breathe. |
Afterward, an intravenous (IV) line is inserted into the blood vessel in your arm or chest for fluid intake and medicines. | During heart surgery, the surgeon extracts a blood vessel from another part of the body like chest, arm, or leg and attaches it to the aorta, the main artery that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body. | After a day or so, the patient will be shifted to a general or private ward where you will be kept under the medical team supervision. |
the nursing staff may shave and wash the treated area to avoid the risk of infection and general anesthesia is given so that the patient falls asleep and doesn’t feel pain during the surgery. | Then, he attaches the other end to an artery below the blockage. | The team will monitor your vital signs such as heart rate, blood pressure, and incision sites. |
In this way, the surgeon creates a new route to travel the blood to your heart. In the case of multiple blockages, the surgeon follows the same procedure multiple times during the same surgery. | ||
The patient will be given anesthesia during the whole procedure - 3 to 6 hours on average. |
Easier & Simpler Visa Processing for Medical Treatment!
Applying and approval for a visa for medical treatment in Turkey are easier. Once you submit all the documents and they are verified, you are welcomed to visit and get treated in Turkey. Your passport must be valid for 90 days before you travel depending on your country of origin. Patients also get e-visa online making traveling to Turkey easier for them. For more information on visa requirements and process, feel free to visit the Turkish MFA website.
For more information on the visa policy, click here.
List of Countries which can enter with a ‘Free’ Visa
However, the visa fee costs nothing if you’re from the following countries: Germany, Andorra, Argentina, Honduras, Iran, Israel, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Morocco, Finland, France, Greece, Guatemala, Belarus, Belize, Albania, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Sweden, Switzerland, Italy, Iceland, Japan, Montenegro, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan,Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Colombia, South Korea, Kosovo, Costa Rica, Latvia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Lebanon, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malaysia, Mongolia, Moldova, Monaco, Nicaragua, Uzbekistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Romania, St. Cristopher Nevis, Saint Marino, Seychelles, Serbia, Singapore,Slovakia, Slovenia, Chile, Tajikistan, Thailand, Trinidad, Tobago, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uruguay, Jordan, Vatican, Venezuela, New Zealand.
If you’re planning to get treatment in Turkey, you can contact a good medical tourism company that can arrange everything from treatment to travel including doctor’s appointment, online consultation and much more. Vaidam Health is one such company that helps in providing high-quality and affordable treatment in Turkey.
What factors have led to an improved success rate of heart surgery in Turkey?
Due to qualified, experienced surgeons and availability of the latest advancements in Turkish hospitals, the success rate of heart surgery is around 96-97 percent and the mortality rate is quite low which is around 2-3 percent.
Booming Medical Healthcare in Different Countries of Turkey
With a proliferating healthcare industry in Turkey, here are all the countries from which tourists travel for heart surgery.
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Due to budget-friendly treatment costs, thousands of patients prefer Turkey to get their medical treatment.
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Every year, patients from different countries of the world including Greece, Germany, USA, Spain, Italy, France, Austria, Belgium, Norway, China, South Africa, Finland, Iraq, Korea, Japan, Kuwait, TRNC, Russia, Egypt, Jordan, United Arab Emirates, Syria opt Turkey for their medical treatment.
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Patients receive medical treatment that helps them to recover their mental and physical strength with a homely, safe environment in hospitals.
Top Hospitals for Heart Surgery in Turkey
Turkey has more than 50 JCI (Joint Commission International) accredited hospitals. Each of these hospitals provides high-quality and low-cost medical treatment to patients around the globe.
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Established in 1991, Acibadem Hospitals Group has a network of 21 multispecialty hospitals and 16 outpatient clinics across Turkey.
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The hospitals comprise 3,500 doctors and 4,000 nurses.
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The group has 9 cancer treatment centers, 12 heart care centers, 11 IVF centers, 6 spine centers, 8 obesity centers, 17 breast health centers and 5 organ transplantation centers.
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Medicana International Istanbul:
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Since 1992, Medicana Hospital Group has been serving qualitative healthcare services to its patients worldwide.
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The group has 13 hospitals out of which Medicana International Istanbul, Medicana International Ankara, Medicana Camlica, and Medicana Bahçelievler are JCI (Joint Commission International) accredited.
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The hospitals serve 1.5 million patients annually under the supervision of 3,500 medical personnel.
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Established in 2004, the hospital is Turkey’s one of the best hospitals.
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The hospital incorporates four hospitals - General, Cardiovascular Surgery, Oncology and Dental Hospitals.
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The hospital abodes 470 beds, 133 ICU beds and 25 operating rooms with laminar air flow and HEPA filtered ventilation systems.
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Medical Park Group, Istanbul:
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Since 1993, Medical Park Hospitals has been serving its patients in more than 760 thousand square meters, 200 operating rooms, and 5,600 beds.
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The group provides its healthcare services in 28 hospitals across 17 cities.
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Help Desk section is set up at each of these hospitals to guide medical tourists in over 40 languages.
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Hisar Intercontinental Hospital, Istanbul:
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Established in 2006, the hospital spreads in an area of 35,000 square meters.
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The hospital in-houses more than 30 medical departments including cardiology, plastic & cosmetic surgery, gynecology, dermatology, oncology, orthopedics, reproductive medicine, etc.
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The hospital has 170 patient beds, 36 ICU beds and 7 operating rooms to serve its patients.
Leading Cardiac Surgeons in Turkey
Turkey has highly-experienced cardiac surgeons who are well-versed with the latest advancements of cardiological procedures.
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Dr. Khusein Okutan: He is a well-known cardiac surgeon with an experience of 20 years. He is currently associated with Medical Park Hospitals Group. He specializes in Radiofrequency ablation, Coronary artery bypass grafting, and pacemaker installation.
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Dr. Barbaros Dokumaci: He is a skilled Cardiologist who is proficient in treating his patients. He holds a skillful experience of 20 years in his field of specialization. He specializes in heart valve replacement, heart transplant, and pacemaker installation.
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Dr. Ali Fedakar: He is a reputed Cardiologist at Hisar Intercontinental Hospital, Istanbul. He specializes in Cardiovascular Surgery.
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Prof. Haşim Üstünsoy: He is an experienced Pediatric Cardiac Surgeon at Anadolu Medical Center. He holds 22 years of experience in the field of Cardiology. He specializes in Radiofrequency ablation and pacemaker installation.
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Prof. Ece Salihoglu: She is a well-experienced Pediatric Cardiovascular Surgeon at Medipol University Hospital. She has 15 years of experience in Cardiovascular Surgery. She specializes in Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting.
Heart surgery is major surgery, therefore, it is advisable to be in safe hands for your health as it is a matter of your life. Turkey is one such country where qualitative medical treatment can be trusted.