Heart transplant in Turkey

Considering a heart transplant in Turkey? This ultimate guide contains everything you need to know about the procedure, recovery and cost in Istanbul. Request a quote and get the best price for successful surgery in Turkey.

BestClinic.co.uk provides information about a heart transplant in Turkey and helps you book an operation with qualified Turkish surgeons. This content is for information purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of a healthcare professional.

The cost of a heart transplant in Turkey

The cost of a heart transplant in Turkey is generally between €90,000 and €175,000. This price may vary depending on several factors such as the reputation of the hospital, the expertise of the surgical team, the length of stay in hospital and post-operative care, including lifelong immunosuppressive medication.

Heart transplant in Turkey 135.000 €

Introduction

When the heart can no longer perform its role, heart failure is declared. This condition can worsen. Eventually, the patient develops severe terminal heart failure. At this stage, only a heart transplant could save the patient’s life. The patient therefore becomes a candidate for aheart transplant. They wait until a compatible graft becomes available. Otherwise, implantation cannot be carried out.

Finding a donor is one thing, making the operation a success is quite another. Heart transplantation is a complex medical procedure. Many international patients have turned to Turkey for the operation. The country is the leading destination for organ transplants, and for medical tourism in general.

The country of the Bosphorus strait works to provide high-quality care for patients. A heart transplant in Turkey is a great adventure. With the assistance of our agency, which specialises in organising medical trips, it can be carried out under the best possible conditions .

What is a heart transplant in Turkey?

A heart transplant in Turkey is the solution to serious heart failure. This condition cannot be treated with medication or any other conventional medical technique . It refers to the inability of the heart to pump blood normally. This organ failure can have a number of causes:

  • Viral infection of the heart muscle,
  • Untreated severe arterial hypertension,
  • Heart malformation,
  • Heart valve disease,
  • Alcoholism
  • Drug addiction, etc.

A heart transplant is a highly complex surgical procedure. The diseased heart has to be removed and an organ without the slightest abnormality implanted from a donor. The donor is usually a person who is brain dead.

The list of heart transplant candidates in France is fairly long. Most of them are of advanced age. They are aged 74 and over. It should be noted that heart transplants in Turkey are suitable for all patient profiles, men and women, including infants.

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How is a heart transplant carried out in Turkey?

Preparation

A heart transplant is carried out in a hospital or clinic. The patient must make an appointment for an initial consultation. A multidisciplinary medical team takes charge of the patient. A thorough evaluation process is put in place. This includes

  • Medical examinations such as blood tests and imaging tests,
  • Psychological assessments.

The procedure enables the medical staff to define the patient’s profile. This facilitates the search for a compatible donor. The patient is placed on the waiting list for heart transplant candidates in Turkey.

When a donor becomes available, the recipient is notified immediately. He or she is expected at the hospital and a pre-operative check-up is carried out as soon as he or she arrives. This determines whether the patient can undergo the transplant.

The operation

Heart transplant surgery is performed under general anaesthetic in a Turkish clinic. The medical team begins by placing the patient on extracorporeal circulation. This involves connecting the patient to a machine that temporarily ensures the heart’s circulatory function.

The surgeon will then make an incision. The diseased heart is then removed. However, the roof of the left atrium and its 4 pulmonary veins are retained. The expert will then attach the prepared graft to the atrium. The heartbeat and blood circulation should return to normal. If this is the case, the surgeon sews up the patient’s chest . It should be noted that the patient loses a lot of blood during the operation. He will therefore also need a blood donor.

Theoperation may take between 4 and 10 hours. The patient is then transferred to an intensive care unit. Strict medical supervision is required.

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Convalescence

The patient is given a number of medical treatments to prevent complications. Lifelong use of an immunosuppressant drug is also required. This drug will suppress the immune system, which regards the donor heart as a foreign body and attacks it.

After a heart transplant , patients must also adopt a healthier lifestyle. This will speed up recovery. They should :

  • Take moderate physical exercise,
  • Eat a balanced diet,
  • Avoid tobacco and alcohol,
  • Look after their physical and mental health.

What are the risks and complications?

A heart transplant in Turkey is the best treatment available. However, it is not without risk. Complications and side-effects may arise, such as:

  • Infection,
  • Bleeding linked to the surgery,
  • The formation of blood clots leading to a heart attack or stroke,
  • Kidney failure,
  • Rejection of the donor heart,
  • Increased vulnerability to bacteria and other diseases as a result of taking immunosuppressive drugs.

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Why have a heart transplant in Turkey?

There are several reasons why international patients might choose to have a heart transplant in Turkey. Firstly, the country has a top-of-the-range, modern healthcare infrastructure . Its hospitals are also accredited. They therefore comply with the JCI (Joint Commission International) safety and quality standard.

These establishments are equipped with cutting-edge medical technology. Patient safety is guaranteed. What’s more, the medical team has extensive expertise and experience in organ transplantation. Turkey is indeed famous in the field of :

  • Kidney transplant,
  • Heart transplant,
  • Plasma exchange,
  • Hair transplants, which consist of implanting hair follicles in bald areas to remedy hair loss, etc.

In addition, international patients can now benefit from assistance in organising their medical travel. Accommodation, flights, transfers to and from the airport, treatment costs and translator services are all included in the package offered by the specialists.

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Frequently asked questions about heart transplants in Turkey

How much does a heart transplant cost in Turkey?

A number of factors affect the cost of a heart transplant in Turkey. These include the hotel chosen, the quality of the hospital, complications during the operation, etc. The price varies between €90,000 and €175,000

What is the success rate?

Many patients from all over the world arrive in the country every year for a heart transplant. Most of them have greatly appreciated the result and are returned to full health. They have been able to return to a normal life. Turkish hospitals boast a success rate of 93%.

How long does it take to find a donor?

Waiting times can be long. It depends on the patient’s profile, in particular their blood type and size. However, the chances of finding a donor remain high in Turkey. The Turkish Ministry has taken various steps to encourage organ donation.

Where is the best country for a heart transplant?

Heart transplants can be carried out in Thailand, Hungary, Spain or the Czech Republic. However, Turkey remains the best destination. It can satisfy patients with its low-cost treatment and high-quality medical services.

What is the length of stay for a heart transplant in Turkey?

It depends on the availability of the donor, the outcome of the procedure and the healing process. It should also be noted that the doctor must provide regular follow-up. You must stay in Turkey for at least three months.

How can you make a success of your medical tourism project in Turkey?

Medical tourism in Turkey is a fast-growing sector. It gives international patients access to full assistance in organising their trip. Everything is taken care of.


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