Cardiovascular diseases are listed among the most prevalent medical conditions on a global scale, and our country has the highest incidence rate among European nations. Therefore, the discipline of cardiology is of particular importance for public health. 

The Cardiology department of Koç University Hospital stands out with a team of experienced physicians offering the best service possible to patients. The department is equipped with advanced technological facilities, keeps up-to-date with the latest advancements in the field, dynamically adopts novel practices by means of internal and external training programs, and maintains utmost level of quality. In collaboration with the branches of cardiovascular surgery, congenital cardiac diseases and coronary intensive care, our patient-oriented service approach is further reinforced. The department of Cardiology is a dynamic and holistic setting that ensures uninterrupted service by integrating an interventional laboratory and all non-interventional test procedures to a polyclinic environment. 

 

Cardiology Units

 

Non-Interventional Cardiology Units


Stress ECG Laboratory

This is a laboratory where a patient’s electrical cardiac activity is evaluated under stress and possible cardiovascular conditions are investigated by observing cardiac parameters while the patient is on a treadmill.  


Holter Laboratory

The Holter laboratory includes blood pressure and rhythm monitoring setups that are capable of recording blood pressure or heart rate parameters uninterruptedly for twenty four or forty eight hours. Holter monitor tests are conducted to diagnose heart rate and blood pressure disorders. 


Cardiopulmonary Exercise Test

An advanced diagnostic test for evaluation of cardiac and pulmonary functions during exercise, cardiopulmonary exercise test evaluate the heart’s and lungs’ capability to function under stress. 


Nuclear Cardiology

Gated myocardial perfusion scintigraphy and fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG PET) scans are performed in collaboration with the department of nuclear medicine to evaluate cardiac perfusion and viability of cardiac tissues. 


Echocardiography Laboratory

Echocardiography checks internal structure and functionality of the heart by use of sound (ultrasound) waves. The procedures of transthoracic echocardiography, transesophageal echocardiography and stress echocardiography can be performed at our laboratory. 
 

Interventional Cardiology Units


Catheterization Laboratory

This is a laboratory where interventional procedures relevant to cardiac vessels, valves and heart rate are performed. These include coronary angiography, fractional flow reserve (FFR) measurement, intravascular ultrasound (IVUS), optic coherence tomography (OCT), percutaneous coronary angioplasty (PCG), coronary and non-coronary stenting, atherectomy practices (Rotablator etc.), transaortic aortic valve replacement via catheterization (TAVI/TAVR) and percutaneous mitral valve clipping.


Electrophysiology Laboratory

Procedures such as pacemaker implantation, implantable cardioversion defibrillator (ICD) placement, cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), electrophysiological study and catheter ablation are performed in this laboratory.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Cardiac surgery

Coronary bypass surgeries are performed on the basis of various techniques. 
 

Surgery on the beating heart 

A surgical technique that prevents possible side effects of equipment supporting the heart and lungs, results in shorter intensive care periods and facilitates recovery.
 

Surgery utilizing arteries

This method is preferred, as it ensures prolonged patency in comparison to vessels obtained from lower extremities. 
 

No-touch aorta surgery

This technique is practiced in order to avoid complications that may result from ‘touching’ the aorta. 
 

Minimally invasive surgery

A surgical technique where the sternum is not opened completely in eligible cases. 


Conscious surgery

A technique aimed at patients who are not eligible for general anesthesia and/or would like to be hospitalized for a shorter period of time. 
 

Cardiac valve surgery

  • Complex cardiac valve repair 

  • Special surgical techniques that make it possible for high-risk patients to undergo operations

  • Surgeries where the sternum is not opened completely in eligible cases  

 

Surgeries for aortic aneurysm and aortic dissection

  • Low-risk surgeries based on special surgical techniques for complex aortic interventions

  • Minimally invasive surgeries where the sternum is not opened completely in eligible cases

 

Re-surgery

Operations performed on patients who previously underwent one or more cardiac surgeries. 
 

High-risk cardiac surgery

Special surgical techniques aimed at patients who have been evaluated as high-risk cases and deemed inoperable at other hospitals
 

Surgery in congenital heart diseases 

Relevant cases are evaluated together with the department of pediatric cardiology. Preoperative and postoperative close observation and treatment are then planned in collaboration with pediatric intensive care specialists. 
 
Robotic cardiac surgery