Pacemaker Surgery Cost in Turkey

What is the Pacemaker Surgery Cost in Turkey?

With a population of over 80 million, residents in Turkey are increasingly burdened by noncommunicable diseases, which account for an estimated 86% of all deaths. Of these, 39.7% are caused by cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), leading to nearly one in five adults dying at a young age. 

One of the CVDs is arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat) and to treat this, pacemaker surgery is done.

The average cost of pacemaker surgery in Turkeyranges between USD 21000 to USD 24000. This includes the cost of the pacemaker, cardiac surgeon’s fees, anaesthesia and OT charges, medical consumables used, and a hospital stay for 3-4 days.

What is Pacemaker Surgery?

A healthy adult's resting heart rate ranges between 60 and 100 beats per minute. However, this can fluctuate based on factors such as age, physical activity, and emotional state.

If this condition is temporary, the heart rate returns to normal once the imbalance has been resolved. But if it persists for longer than usual, medical intervention is required.

These dysregulations are defined as bradycardia (slow heartbeat), tachycardia (fast heartbeat), arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat), or heart failure. 

The common symptoms include extreme fatigue, dizziness, syncope, and shortness of breath. It can turn into a life-threatening situation if not treated on time. 

To treat this heart condition, pacemaker surgery must be performed. In pacemaker surgery, cardiac surgeons implant a battery-operated medical device called a pacemaker in the heart. 

This device sends signals to different heart chambers in complications where the sinoatrial node or SA node (the natural pacemaker of the human heart), atrioventricular node, and HIS-Purkinje system are not functioning correctly.

A pacemaker consists of two parts-

• Pulse generator: It contains the pacemaker’s battery and other electronics to generate and control electrical signals sent to the heart muscles.
• Leads: These are thin wires that help in distributing the electrical signals from the pulse generator to the heart. Some of the latest pacemaker devices don’t have these leads and are referred to as leadless pacemakers.

Pacemakers are used to treat the following heart conditions-

• Arrhythmia: Irregular heartbeat
• Tachycardia: Heart beats more than 100 beats per minute
• Bradycardia: Heart beats less than 60 times per minute
• Congestive heart failure: Heart is not efficient in pumping blood to the body, resulting in fluid building up and swelling in the lungs and legs.
• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: The heart muscles become thicker and the left ventricle stiffens with reduced blood holding capacity.

Following a thorough examination, cardiac surgeons determine the optimal placement for the pacemaker. This can be either within one of the heart's chambers or beneath the collarbone. The pacemaker then regulates the heart's rhythm by sending signals to maintain a normal heart rate.

What are the Types of Pacemakers?

Pacemakers are available in various types, each designed to meet specific medical needs. They can be categorised as follows:

• Single-Chamber Pacemaker: These are used when the right ventricle isn't effectively pumping blood to the lungs. A single lead is attached to this chamber to regulate heart rate.
• Dual-Chamber Pacemaker: These control both the right atrium and ventricle, ensuring coordinated contractions. This requires two leads.
• Biventricular Pacemaker: These are recommended for patients with heart failure or irregular heartbeats. It stimulates and coordinates both ventricles.
• Leadless Pacemaker: These are implanted directly into the heart without external leads, reducing risks like lead fracture or infection.

What are the Cost of Different Types of Pacemaker in Turkey?

What are the Key Factors that affect the Pacemaker Surgery Cost in Turkey?

Pacemaker surgery is a vital treatment for patients with impaired heart function. However, a comprehensive evaluation is necessary before undergoing this procedure. Factors to consider include the patient's general health, underlying heart condition, specific symptoms, medical history, and potential surgical risks.

Some of the factors that affect the pacemaker surgery cost in Turkey are listed below.

Type of pacemaker

The complexity of the pacemaker, such as single-chamber, dual-chamber, or biventricular, directly affects the cost of pacemaker in Turkey. Leadless pacemakers, being advanced, are also more expensive.

Hospital Facilities and Surgeon Expertise

Hospitals with advanced facilities like Cardiac Intensive Care Units (CICUs) and experienced cardiac surgeons often have higher costs. The surgeon's reputation and qualifications can also influence the overall price.

Extended Hospital Stays

In certain medical cases, patients may require additional days in the ICU for post-operative care. These extended stays can increase the total cost ranging between USD 350 and USD 450. 

What is Pacemaker Surgery Cost in Turkey Vs. Other Countries?

What are Pre-surgical and Post-surgical Expenses in Pacemaker Surgery?

Cardiac surgeons perform some tests for examination of a patient's health and follow-ups required after the surgery. This may add expenses to the overall surgery cost and hence must be considered under surgical expenses.

• Pre-surgical examination cost (echocardiography, electrocardiogram, angiography, Holter monitor, stress testing etc.): USD 300 to USD 400)
• Post-treatment medication cost(monitoring pacemaker functioning, updating pacemaker software, medications etc.): USD 250 to USD 400

What Should be the Post-pacemaker surgery Care?

A pacemaker is a battery-operated device inserted inside the most crucial organ of the body. Hence, it’s important to take additional precautions, as the function of the entire body depends on it. Hence, the following considerations should be made post-pacemaker surgery.

• Physical activities restrictions: 

During the initial recovery period, it's prohibited to lift the arm on the side of the pacemaker implantation. Strenuous activities like heavy lifting and sports should also be avoided for approximately 4-6 weeks.

• Avoid near contact with electronic devices:

Some electronic devices still employ magnetic fields which interfere with the functioning of the pacemaker. 

• Avoid therapies involving magnetic fields: 

Individuals with pacemakers should disclose this information to their healthcare provider before undergoing procedures like MRIs, radiation therapy, or shock-wave lithotripsy.