Heart Surgery in India: Types, Procedures, and Affordable Cost Insights

Heart surgery treatment cost in India starts from about $4000. It may go up to $10000, depending on the diagnosis and the type of treatment required. 

Heart surgery treatment cost in Turkey varies from $8000 to $18000. 

Heart surgery treatment cost in Dubai varies from $12000 to $35000.

In countries such as the US, UK and Canada, the cost of heart surgery may vary from $35000 to $75000.

What is heart surgery?

Heart surgery, also known as the cardiac surgery or cardiovascular surgery, refers to a surgical procedure with an aim to correct any defects concerning the heart and the great vessels, which together form the cardiovascular system.

What is the cost of heart surgery in India?

The following table highlights the cost of heart surgery in India at some of the hospitals:

**These are only approximate expenses and cover the cost of treatment and hospitalisation. The actual cost may vary as per the status, diagnosis and profile of the individual patient.

What are the common types of heart surgeries in adults and children?

Some of the most common types of heart surgeries in adults and children include the following:

CABG

Generally known as heart bypass, coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is a surgical procedure that aims to correct the blockages in the three main vessels of the heart. The blocked part of the vessel is replaced or bypassed by replacing it with a part of a healthy vessel, usually taken from the leg of the patient.

A cardiac bypass is generally an open heart surgery but some patients are also eligible to undergo minimally invasive keyhole surgery or robotic bypass.

The cost of CABG in India is between $4500 and $5500. A redo CABG costs more and may range from $7000 to $10000. Artemis Hospital in India and Fortis Hospital in India are especially known for their expertise in pediatric and adult heart surgery.

Heart Valve Replacement

Heart valve replacement is a surgical procedure that involves replacing a damaged or diseased heart valve with a new one. Heart valves play an important role in regulating blood flow within the heart, and when they malfunction, it can cause a variety of problems. The two most common types of heart valve replacement include aortic valve replacement (AVR) and mitral valve replacement (MVR). Tricuspid valve replacement and/or repair (TVR) is also done.

There are two main types of heart valve replacement surgery: mechanical valve replacement and biological valve replacement. Mechanical valves are durable and long-lasting, but require the patient to take blood-thinning medication for life. Biological valves are made from animal or human tissue and do not require blood-thinning medication, but they may need to be replaced after several years.

The cost of heart valve replacement in India is between $5000 and $8500. 

Septal Defect Repair 

A septal defect is a congenital heart condition where there is a hole in the wall separating the two chambers of the heart. This causes oxygen-rich and oxygen-poor blood to mix, leading to poor circulation and other complications. The two most common types of septal defects include atrial septal defect (ASD) and ventricular septal defect (VSD).

Septal defect repair is a surgical procedure that aims to close the hole in the heart wall. The procedure is performed under general anesthesia, and the surgeon makes an incision in the chest to access the heart. The hole is then closed with a patch made of synthetic material or the patient's own tissue.

In some cases, septal defect repair can be done using a minimally invasive approach, where a small incision is made on the side of the chest instead of the breastbone. This method results in less pain and a faster recovery time.

The cost of ASD/VSD repair in India is between $4000 and $6000.

Pacemaker Implantation

A pacemaker is a small device that is implanted in the chest to help regulate a person's heartbeat. It is typically used to treat bradycardia, a condition in which the heart beats too slowly, and other heart rhythm disorders. 

During a pacemaker implantation procedure, a surgeon makes a small incision in the chest and inserts one or more wires, called leads, into a vein near the heart. The other end of the leads is attached to the pacemaker device, which is then implanted under the skin in the chest. Once in place, the pacemaker sends electrical signals to the heart, helping it beat at a normal rate. The procedure is usually performed under local anesthesia and takes about an hour to complete. 

Patients are typically able to go home the same day or the next day after the procedure. After implantation, the pacemaker will need to be regularly checked and adjusted by a healthcare provider to ensure that it is functioning properly.

Depending on the type of pacemaker used, the cost of pacemaker implantation in India varies from $4500 to $7500.

Bentall Surgery

Bentall surgery is a complex open-heart surgical procedure used to treat aortic aneurysms and aortic dissections. It involves replacing the aortic valve, ascending aorta, and aortic root with a composite graft, which is a synthetic tube containing a valve. 

During the surgery, the patient is placed under general anesthesia, and the heart is stopped while a heart-lung machine is used to circulate blood throughout the body. The surgeon then removes the damaged portion of the aorta and replaces it with the composite graft. The coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart, are also reconnected to the graft.

Bentall surgery is a highly effective treatment for patients with aortic aneurysms or dissections, and it can significantly improve their quality of life. 

Bentall surgery cost in India varies from $9500 to $14500.

PDA Repair 

PDA closure refers to a medical procedure that is used to repair a heart defect called Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) in children. PDA is a condition where a blood vessel called the ductus arteriosus, which is present in the fetus to help blood flow bypass the lungs, fails to close after birth.

PDA closure is usually recommended for children with a significant PDA because the condition can lead to complications such as heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, and infection. The closure procedure can be performed either surgically or through a catheterization technique.

Surgical closure involves making an incision in the chest and repairing the ductus arteriosus, while catheterization involves threading a small device or coil through a catheter to the site of the PDA to block the blood flow through the ductus arteriosus and allow it to eventually close off.

The procedure is generally safe and effective in most cases. 

The cost of PDA closure in India is between $4500 and $5500.

Artificial Heart Transplant

An artificial heart transplant is a medical procedure in which a patient's failing heart is replaced with an artificial device that takes over the heart's pumping function. The device, known as a total artificial heart (TAH), is a mechanical pump that is implanted into the chest cavity and connected to the patient's blood vessels.

The TAH is typically used as a temporary measure while the patient waits for a donor heart transplant, but in some cases, it may be used as a permanent solution if a donor heart is not available or if the patient is not a suitable candidate for a heart transplant.

The current TAH models are designed to mimic the function of a natural heart as closely as possible and are often used in conjunction with advanced medical therapies to provide patients with the best possible outcomes.

Similarly, a ventricular assist device (VAD) is a mechanical device that is used to support the heart's pumping function in patients with severe heart failure. The VAD is implanted in the patient's chest and connected to the heart's ventricles, the lower chambers that pump blood to the body.

The device works by drawing blood from the ventricle and then pumping it out to the body, either continuously or in a pulsatile manner, depending on the type of VAD used. Some VADs are designed to support the left ventricle only, while others can support both the left and right ventricles.

VADs are typically used as a temporary solution while the patient waits for a heart transplant, but they can also be used as a long-term treatment option for patients who are not candidates for transplantation. In some cases, VADs can even be used to allow the heart to recover, at which point the device can be removed.

VADs have become an increasingly important tool in the management of heart failure, and recent advances in technology have made them smaller, more durable, and easier to implant. VAD therapy can significantly improve a patient's quality of life and increase their chances of survival.

Although artificial heart transplants are still relatively rare, they have become an important treatment option for patients with end-stage heart failure who would otherwise have few options for survival.

The cost of heart transplant in India varies from $45000 to $65000. On the other hand, the cost of TAH or VAD is between $85000 and $130,000.

How is recovery after heart surgery?

The recovery time for heart surgery varies depending on the type and complexity of the surgery, the patient's overall health, and other factors. In general, it can take several weeks to several months for a full recovery from heart surgery.

After surgery, patients typically spend a few days in the hospital to be monitored and receive care from medical professionals. Once they are discharged, they will continue their recovery at home, and they will need to follow a specific recovery plan that may include medications, physical therapy, and lifestyle changes.

For some types of heart surgery, such as minimally invasive procedures or procedures performed with robotic assistance, the recovery time may be shorter than for traditional open-heart surgery. However, recovery time can still vary for these procedures depending on the individual case.

It's important to work closely with your medical team and follow their instructions during the recovery period to ensure the best possible outcome.