Cardiovascular Surgery

Which Conditions Are Treated?

Our department performs surgical treatments for a wide range of congenital (present at birth) and acquired cardiovascular diseases. The type and progression of these diseases may vary depending on the patient's age.

Main Conditions We Treat in Adult Patients:

• Coronary artery diseases (blocked heart arteries)
• Heart valve diseases (stenosis or regurgitation)
• Aortic aneurysms (enlarged arteries) and aortic dissections (torn arteries)
• Heart tumors and pericardial diseases
• Peripheral artery (extremity vessel) blockages
• Venous diseases and varicose vein problems

Main Conditions We Treat in Pediatric Patients:

• Congenital heart defects (such as ASD, VSD)
• Childhood heart valve problems
• Intracardiac stenosis and vessel narrowing
• Circulation problems developing due to high pulmonary pressure

Diagnostic Methods Used

The first step to a successful surgical intervention is an accurate and complete diagnosis. In our hospital, diagnostic processes are meticulously planned through a multidisciplinary collaboration with our Cardiology department. After listening to our patients' symptoms, we utilize advanced imaging and testing methods offered by modern medicine.

While Echocardiography (ECHO) examines the heart's structure and the condition of the valves, coronary angiography clearly maps any blockages in the heart vessels. When deemed necessary, detailed examinations such as stress tests, Holter monitoring, cardiac MRI, and computed tomography (CT) angiography are performed to determine the surgical roadmap. Early awareness of heart disease symptoms and complaints accelerates the diagnostic process and increases the success of the treatment.

Treatment Methods and Procedures

The surgical procedures performed in our department are specially planned according to the patient's general health status and the severity of the disease. Knowing not just the names of the diseases but what the procedures entail helps you approach the treatment process with greater confidence.

• Coronary Bypass Surgeries: This is the process of bypassing blockages in the vessels that supply the heart by using healthy vessels taken from another part of the body. In our hospital, depending on the patient's condition, these surgeries can be performed using the classic method or on a beating heart (without stopping the heart). Total arterial revascularization techniques without using leg veins are also successfully applied. Using small incisions to harvest vessels from the arm and leg speeds up recovery.
• Minimally Invasive Heart Surgery: Especially in pediatric patients and adults with suitable anatomy, these surgeries are performed through small 4-5 centimeter incisions under the armpit without fully opening the rib cage (sternum). This method reduces postoperative pain and significantly accelerates the return to normal life.
• Heart Valve Surgery: This is the procedure to correct structural defects in the aortic, mitral, or other heart valves. If the patient's own valve can be repaired, a repair procedure is performed; if it is unrepairable, it is replaced with mechanical or biological artificial valves.
• Pediatric Heart Surgery Procedures: Closing heart defects in infancy and childhood, relieving narrowing in the heart, conduit (valved vessel) replacements, and complex Fontan-type surgeries are performed with special precision.
• Aortic Aneurysm and Dissection Treatment: Repairing ballooning or tears in the aorta, the body's largest artery, using open surgery or angiographic (endovascular stent) methods.
• Pacemaker Implantation: The process of implanting a pacemaker in both pediatric and adult patients to control dangerous slowing or irregularities in the heart rhythm.
• Vascular and Varicose Vein Surgery: Arterial blockages in the legs (peripheral artery) and enlarged veins (varicose veins) are treated with open surgical methods or closed techniques such as laser and radiofrequency.

Technology and Team

Heart surgeries are processes that require high standards of sterilization and advanced technology. At BHT CLINIC Istanbul Tema Hospital, we keep your medical safety at the highest level with operating room conditions that meet international quality standards. After surgery, our patients are admitted to our CVS (Cardiovascular Surgery) Intensive Care Unit, which is equipped with the latest life support and monitoring devices.

In our CVS Intensive Care Unit, you are monitored 24/7 by our specially trained intensive care nurses and specialist physicians. When necessary, assist devices like ECMO (extracorporeal life support) are successfully utilized for patients with high pulmonary pressure or severe heart failure. From diagnosis to discharge, we exhibit a multidisciplinary council approach with our Cardiology, Anesthesia, and Intensive Care departments. This collaborative culture ensures that the most accurate and reliable treatment decisions are made for you.

When to Consult Cardiovascular Surgery?

Cardiovascular diseases sometimes occur suddenly and sometimes develop slowly, showing gradual symptoms. If you experience one or more of the following complaints, it is vital to consult a specialist physician without delay:

• A feeling of pressure, burning, or tightness in the middle of the chest (especially increasing with exertion)
• Unexplained shortness of breath and quick fatigue when climbing stairs
• Irregular heartbeat, severe palpitations, or a feeling of skipped beats
• Dizziness, blackouts, or fainting (syncope) spells
• Noticeable swelling (edema) in the legs and ankles
• Cramps in the calf muscles during walking that pass with rest
• Excessive fatigue, sweating, or failure to gain weight during feeding in children and infants
• Bruising (cyanosis) on the lips and fingertips, especially when crying in children

It should not be forgotten that some heart diseases may show very few symptoms. Recognizing silent ischemia (hidden heart disease) symptoms and not neglecting regular check-ups is the most effective way to prevent potential crises.

Appointment and Consultation Process

Your heart health cannot wait. To get an examination, evaluate your symptoms, and create your personalized treatment plan at the BHT CLINIC Istanbul Tema Hospital Cardiovascular Surgery department, you can call our 24/7 call center at 0850 811 34 00. If you wish, you can also quickly and easily book your appointment through our online appointment page. Our expert team is by your side at every step to help you regain your health.