Angioplasty Cost In Turkey

What is Angioplasty Surgery Cost in Turkey?

Coronary artery disease (CAD), being a prevalent heart condition, is one of the significant causes of global mortality. To treat the restricted blood flow due to CAD, angioplasty is done.

Angioplasty is a procedure that uses a small tube to reopen blocked arteries and allow blood to flow freely. A stent may or may not be used.

The average cost of angioplasty in Turkey with one stent ranges between USD 4500 and USD 5500. This cost includes the type of stent being used , cardiac surgeon’s fees, anaesthesia charges, OT charges, medical consumables, and hospital stay for 3 days.

What is Angioplasty Surgery?

In the past decade, coronary heart disease (CAD) has been a significant cause of death worldwide. Considering its prevalence,some of the common symptoms associated with CAD are listed below.

• Angina (chest pain)

• Shortness of breath

• Chronic fatigue

• Racing heartbeat

• Nausea

• Dizziness

In CAD, there is build-up of plaques in the coronary artery. This plaque made up of cholesterol and fat leads to blocked or interrupted blood flow in the heart. Sometimes, those deposits break suddenly and form a clot leading to a heart attack or stroke. This fatal outcome underscores the importance of timely medical intervention.

To treat blocked coronary arteries, a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) known as angioplasty is performed. In this procedure, a thin and flexible tube called a catheter is inserted into the blocked blood vessel of the heart. At the tip of the catheter, a deflated balloon is attached. 

Once the catheter reaches the blocked blood vessel, the balloon is inflated which compresses the plaque against the artery walls, thus widening the vessel and restoring blood flow.

In some cases, in order to keep the blocked artery open,a small mesh tube called stent, may be placed in the artery to help keep it open. Once the procedure is over, the balloon is deflated, and the catheter is removed. However, the stent is not relocated further so that it can prevent restenosis.

What are the Types of Angioplasty Surgery?

When a patient gets a heart attack, angioplasty may be used as an emergency procedure to restore normal blood flow to the heart.

Cardiac surgeons, guided by factors such as a patient's age,sex,medical conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure, perform various forms of angioplasty. The procedure involved influences the overall cost of angioplasty surgery in Turkey.

• Balloon Angioplasty

In this procedure, a tiny balloon is inflated within the narrowed artery. Once the artery is widened, blood flow is restored in it. 

In advanced procedures, drug-eluting balloons (DEB) are used. DEB are inflated once it reaches at the site of the blockage and the medication into the arterial wall is released. This drug inhibits the chances of restenosis.

• Stent Placement

After balloon angioplasty, a small mesh tube called a stent is often inserted to prevent the artery from narrowing again. 

The heart's tissues will gradually form a layer over the stent,and within 3 to 12 months, the stent will be completely covered with tissues. Based on their properties, stents can be classified as:

1. Bare metal stents (BMS): A stent is made of thin, uncoated (bare) metal wire that has been shaped into a mesh-like tube.

2. Drug-eluting stents (DES): Similar to regular stents, DES are coated with medicines that prevent arterial narrowing and restenosis.

3. Bioresorbable scaffold system (BRS): It temporarily supports the affected artery. After the blockage is successfully treated and healed, BRS dissolves completely, leaving the artery free from any traces of the stent material.

• Cutting Balloon Angioplasty

In this procedure, a balloon with tiny blades are used to create longitudinal incisions around resistant plaques that are hard to push back by a balloon stent.

• Atherectomy

In this, by making a small incision, a catheter is inserted. A sharp blade, laser, or rotating device is attached on its opposite end. With this, the plaque is then scraped away or broken up without creating a large incision.

With these angioplasty procedures, cardiac surgeons address several arterial blockages and vascular conditions to immediately treat the patient.

What are the Key Factors That Affect the Angioplasty Surgery Cost in Turkey?

Before angioplasty, patients should know about the financial aspects of angioplasty , so that they can make informed decisions regarding their angioplasty in Turkey.

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

Type of Angioplasty

Advanced angioplasty techniques differ in complexity and often require specialised equipment, which may contribute to higher costs. This includes the price of stents, balloons, catheters, and other devices used during the procedure.

Hospital facilities and cardiac surgeon's expertise

The cost of cardiac treatment can vary depending on the hospital's reputation, accreditation, and the level of care it offers. Hospitals with advanced facilities and experienced surgeons may charge more, but they often provide higher-quality care as well.

Additional stay at hospital/ICU

In specific medical situations, the patient might need to extend their hospital or ICU stay for additional days to receive post-operative care. Thus, the additional hospital stay costs around USD 300 to USD 400 on a per day basis.

What is Angioplasty Cost in Turkey Vs. Other Countries?

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

Cardiac surgeons require various health reports, before angioplasty. After the surgery, in order to monitor the health condition and avoid any health complications, follow ups are necessary. This may further add up to the overall cost of coronary angioplasty in Turkey.

• Pre-procedural examination cost (complete blood count, electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, coronary angioplasty, CT scan, nuclear stress test, etc.): USD 400 to USD 500

• Post-procedural cost (follow-up consultations, antiplatelets, statins and other blood pressure medications): USD 250 to USD 300

What should be Post-surgery Care after Angioplasty?

After angioplasty, post-surgery care is required to prevent restenosis or narrowing of blood vessels. For this, cardiac surgeons recommend various measures to ensure the success of angioplasty, which are discussed below.

• Medications

Cardiac surgeons recommend some medications to prevent some complications such as stent thrombosis (blood clot) and inflammation. If ignored, blood clot and inflammation may lead to heart attack.

• Cardiac rehabilitation

Many hospitals offer rehabilitation programs that provide exercise training and overall monitoring of health. This ensures faster recovery for patients under the guidance of the doctor.

• Lifestyle changes

Some lifestyle changes have to be made to reduce further risks and heart complications. Some of them are listed below.

• Consume a healthy diet

• Maintain body weight

• Take a good amount of sleep

• Stop drinking and smoking