Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov)
Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov)
Israel, Tel Aviv
Zvi Ram
37 years of experience
accreditations :
Clinic is certified :
| Israel | Turkey | Austria | |
| Pulmonary hypertension stem cell treatment | ≈ $18,000 | ≈ $7,500 | ≈ $12,000 |
| LDL Apheresis | ≈ $1,600 | ≈ $450 | ≈ $1,100 |
Dr. Levi Yehuda brings specialized experience in intensive cardiac care at Sheba Medical Center and Tel Aviv Sourasky to pulmonary hypertension treatment.
Dr. Helkin Amir directs the Structural Heart Disease Service at Israel's renowned Tel Aviv Medical Center. He brings deep experience to complex cardiac cases.
Heads the echocardiography department at Ichilov Hospital, specializing in non-invasive heart imaging critical for pulmonary hypertension diagnosis and monitoring.
Leading cardiac surgeon at Ichilov Hospital, specializing in minimally invasive cardiac surgery and rehabilitation.
Pulmonary hypertension treatment in Israel is exceptionally safe due to rigorous clinical standards and specialized expertise. Leading facilities like Sourasky Medical Center and Assuta Medical Center maintain JCI accreditation. They utilize advanced therapies and multidisciplinary protocols to ensure high survival rates and optimal patient care.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli medical centers demonstrate massive scale, with Sourasky Medical Center treating over 1,800,000 patients annually. This high volume across 240 specialized departments creates a depth of expertise rare in smaller systems. For pulmonary hypertension patients, this means access to structural heart disease specialists like Dr. Helkin Amir, who focuses on complex invasive cardiology.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that the high level of medical attentiveness and the ability to choose their specific attending physician provides significant peace of mind. They often mention that the multidisciplinary team approach makes the complex diagnostic process feel more managed and secure.
Leading Israeli hospitals specializing in pulmonary hypertension include Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center and Hadassah Medical Center. These JCI-accredited facilities provide multidisciplinary care involving cardiology and pulmonology specialists. They utilize advanced diagnostic imaging and catheter-based procedures to manage complex vascular conditions and heart failure complications.
Bookimed Expert Insight: While many Israeli hospitals treat heart conditions, Sourasky Medical Center stands out for its high-volume cardiac rehabilitation and specific pediatric cardiology focus. Dr. Livia Kapusta and Prof. Bella Koifman are key specialists there with international training. Choosing a university hospital like Hadassah or Sourasky ensures access to doctors listed in Forbes as the best in Israel.
Patient Consensus: Patients emphasize finding a dedicated pulmonary hypertension specialist rather than a general cardiologist to avoid misdiagnosis. Many stress the importance of centers where pulmonologists and ICU teams collaborate closely to manage medication side effects effectively.
Israel offers advanced pulmonary hypertension therapies including vasodilator drug regimens, specialized surgical interventions, and lung transplantation. Multidisciplinary teams at JCI-accredited centers like Sourasky and Hadassah utilize prostanoids, endothelin receptor antagonists, and phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors. Procedures such as balloon pulmonary angioplasty and atrial septostomy provide critical relief for complex cases.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli cardiology departments demonstrate a unique focus on treating pulmonary hypertension as a direct complication of congenital heart defects. Dr. Livia Kapusta at Sourasky Medical Center specializing in this crossover care is a key example. Patients with underlying structural issues should prioritize centers with dedicated pediatric-to-adult transitional cardiology programs for better long-term outcomes.
Patient Consensus: Patients emphasize that early right heart catheterization is essential for accessing aggressive multi-drug combinations. Many note that using portable oxygen concentrators and tracking daily weights helps manage symptoms while waiting for advanced transplant options.
A pulmonary hypertension (PH) evaluation in Israel usually requires a stay of 7 to 14 days. This timeframe allows experts to complete right heart catheterization and complex imaging. Leading centers in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem consolidate these tests to ensure accurate hemodynamic results before travel.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli cardiology departments often function as high-volume hubs, with Sourasky Medical Center alone serving 1.8 million patients annually. Our data shows that international patients should specifically request a combined heart-lung multidisciplinary review. This prevents the common 3-day delay often caused by separate scheduling between pulmonology and cardiology departments.
Patient Consensus: Patients recommend bringing all previous medical records to skip repetitive intake tests. Many suggest planning for a 3-week stay if starting new medications that require initial monitoring.
Follow-up care for pulmonary hypertension after returning from Israel involves coordinated remote monitoring. Patients receive personalized discharge plans within 7 days. These include digital health tracking, virtual specialist consultations, and medication adjustments. Leading centers like Sourasky Medical Center provide expert oversight to prevent readmission.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli cardiology centers like Sourasky (Ichilov) leverage their high patient volume to refine remote protocols. Leading specialists, including Dr. Bella Koifman and Professor Gideon Uretzky, focus on cardiac rehabilitation. Data shows these centers prioritize early intervention through telehealth. This approach is vital for adjusted drug therapies like sildenafil. Patients should ensure their home monitoring logs are ready before their first virtual appointment.
Patient Consensus: Patients emphasize setting up home monitoring gear and journals before leaving the hospital. They note that monthly virtual check-ins are essential for managing emergency thresholds and avoiding hospital stays.
Patients treated for pulmonary hypertension in Israel must typically wait 2 to 4 weeks before flying. Air travel involves lower cabin pressure and reduced oxygen levels. These factors can stress the heart and lungs. Most specialists require a formal medical clearance before departure.
Bookimed Expert Insight: While general surgical guidelines suggest 1 week of recovery, pulmonary hypertension patients in Israel often stay 3 to 4 weeks. Specialized centers like Meir Medical Center or Hadassah emphasize this extended monitoring. The extra time allows doctors to confirm stable oxygen saturation before high-altitude travel.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that flying too soon can lead to emergency room visits for severe shortness of breath. Those who traveled by ground or waited a full month reported much safer recoveries and fewer breathing issues.
You must bring physical copies of all imaging and reports to Israel. Digital links often fail due to system security protocols. Having raw images on a USB drive and printed reports prevents redundant testing and ensures immediate treatment planning by Israeli specialists.
Bookimed Expert Insight: While Israel is a top medical destination with over 1,000,000 patients yearly at centers like Hadassah, data sharing is often limited to internal systems. Clinicians at Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov) frequently prioritize raw imaging over written reports to perform their own expert interpretations. Providing these files during the first consultation often allows doctors like Dr. Bella Koifman to proceed directly to advanced cardiac rehabilitation or intervention planning.
Patient Consensus: Patients note it's vital to organize your documents chronologically with a simple summary page. They suggest carrying both digital and physical copies because hospitals may struggle to open emailed files.
Israel is a premier neurosurgery hub due to its fusion of high-density medical innovation and elite surgical expertise. Top facilities like Sheba Medical Center integrate AI-guided navigation and real-time intraoperative MRI. Specialized centers report 98% success rates for complex procedures including awake craniotomy and movement disorder treatments.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Data shows a clear divide between public and private options in Israel. Private centers like Assuta Medical Center perform over 92,000 operations annually and allow patients to select their specific lead surgeon. This is a vital advantage for complex cases where a specific expert like Dr. Eli Ashkenazi is preferred for his 1,000+ spine surgery record.
Patient Consensus: Patients emphasize bringing original imaging on a USB for local review to streamline the surgical plan. They also note that private packages often include hotel coordination and airport transfers, making the logistics much smoother.
Israeli neurosurgeons treat a full spectrum of conditions ranging from brain and spinal tumors to complex functional disorders. Specialized centers utilize advanced technologies like Gamma Knife, deep brain stimulation, and intraoperative MRI to manage epilepsy, Parkinson disease, and cerebrovascular pathologies with high precision.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli hospitals often combine specialties to handle complex cases. At Sourasky Medical Center, neurosurgeons like Dr. Zvi Lidar bridge neurosurgery and orthopedics for spinal care. This multidisciplinary approach allows clinics to perform 34,000+ operations annually. Choosing a facility with this crossover expertise often leads to more comprehensive treatment plans for degenerative diseases.
Patient Consensus: Patients value the ability to access specialized treatments like fluorescence-guided surgery for tumors which are often unavailable elsewhere. Many note that the staff is fluent in English and provides clear communication through teleconsultations before traveling.
Israel is home to world-renowned neurosurgery centers like Sourasky Medical Center, Sheba Medical Center, and Hadassah Medical Center. These facilities are globally ranked for treating complex brain tumors, spinal disorders, and movement diseases. They utilize advanced technologies like Gamma Knife, robotic systems, and intra-operative MRI.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Our data shows that while most patients focus on Tel Aviv, Rambam Medical Center in Haifa offers unique expertise in neuro-trauma. It operates a specialized neuro-ICU and serves nearly 1 million patients annually. This makes it an essential choice for complex post-trauma brain surgeries that requires intensive recovery support.
Patient Consensus: Patients note it is important to start consultations early. They often highlight that the precision and follow-up care for complex brain tumors exceeded their expectations. One patient emphasized how quickly they could connect with top professors for second opinions during critical neurosurgical cases.
Israel's leading neurosurgeons include Prof. Zvi Ram, Prof. Shlomi Constantini, and Prof. Itzhak Fried at Sourasky Medical Center. These specialists hold leadership roles in the European Association of Neurosurgical Societies (EANS) and the World Society for Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery (WSSFN). They utilize advanced intraoperative mapping and robotic systems.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Data from Sourasky and Sheba indicates a strong correlation between high surgical volumes and patient safety. For example, Sourasky performs 34,000+ operations annually with a 90% oncology success rate. Patients seeking complex tumor removals should prioritize centers like these where surgeons perform hundreds of specific cases each year.
Patient Consensus: Patients emphasize the importance of finding a surgeon who specializes specifically in your condition rather than a generalist. Many note that high-volume centers provide better access to English-speaking staff and coordinated care for international visitors.
International neurosurgery patients in Israel must provide comprehensive medical records including recent MRI or CT scans translated into English. Admission requires a clinical review by specialists to confirm treatment feasibility. Hospitals often mandate full advance payment or a significant deposit before confirming surgery dates or issuing visa support letters.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Data shows that top Israeli facilities like Sheba Medical Center and Hadassah Medical Center handle massive patient volumes, exceeding 1,000,000 people annually. This high demand means clinics prioritize complex or rare cases over routine procedures. Patients with unique or high-risk conditions often receive faster admission approval than those seeking standard treatments available elsewhere.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that having all imaging results ready in English is essential for quick scheduling. Many emphasize that while the medical care is excellent, coordinating around Shabbat closures is necessary to avoid unexpected diagnostic delays.
A standard stay for neurosurgery in Israel ranges from 10 to 14 days for uncomplicated cases. Patients undergoing complex procedures like brain tumor removal or deep brain stimulation often require 4 to 6 weeks. This timeline covers pre-operative diagnostics, the surgical procedure, and essential post-operative monitoring.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Data from Sourasky Medical Center shows they treat over 400,000 patients annually with high success rates. Clinics with such high volumes, like Hadassah or Assuta, often have streamlined discharge protocols. This helps international patients transition to hotel-based recovery faster while maintaining access to top specialists.
Patient Consensus: Patients note it is vital not to rush home too early. Some travelers extended their stay to 3 weeks due to swelling or to ensure they received final surgeon clearance before flying.
Israeli neurosurgery uses robotic guidance, real-time 3D imaging, and incisionless technologies to minimize physical trauma. Systems like Mazor Robotics provide sub-millimeter precision for spine implants. MRI-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) treats tremors without incisions. These advanced tools ensure high accuracy and reduce recovery times.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli clinics like Sourasky or Hadassah integrate proprietary Israeli-born technologies like Surgical Theater before they hit global markets. Our data shows these centers often use VR flight-through models for pre-surgical planning. This allows surgeons to rehearse complex cases, which is a key factor in their 90% success rates.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that technologies like the Gamma Knife allowed them to return home in days rather than weeks. Many move from traditional 10cm incisions to cuts under 2cm when using robotic-assisted systems.
Israel is a global leader in neurosurgery due to its integration of proprietary medical innovations and internationally trained specialists. High-capacity centers like Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov) perform over 34,000 annual surgeries. Patients access advanced techniques like awake craniotomy and MR-guided focused ultrasound.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli neurosurgery stands out because of the high concentration of dually certified experts. Many top surgeons, such as Dr. Zvi Lidar, are certified to practice in both Israel and the USA. This ensures that patients receive American-standard surgical care while staying in Tel Aviv or Jerusalem. Our data shows that private centers like Assuta offer significantly faster access to these specific specialists compared to the public system.
Patient Consensus: Patients note it is important to confirm a surgeon's specific volume of cases for your exact condition. They also value the ability to get expert second opinions quickly through online consultations with world-renowned professors.
Sheba Medical Center and Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov) are among the best neurosurgery hospitals in Israel. These JCI-accredited facilities perform thousands of operations annually. They utilize advanced technologies like CyberKnife and intraoperative MRI to treat complex brain tumors and cerebrovascular lesions.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Our data shows that top Israeli centers like Sourasky and Hadassah perform over 40,000 total operations yearly. This high volume allows surgeons to maintain a 90% success rate even in complex oncology cases. Patients seeking robotic spine surgery or deep brain stimulation should focus on these high-capacity municipal centers for the most experienced teams.
Patient Consensus: Patients appreciate that some hospitals quickly coordinate consultations even during regional strikes. Families of pediatric patients especially value surgeons trained at prestigious international institutions.
Israel's leading neurosurgeons include Professor Zvi Ram, Professor Shlomi Constantini, and Professor Itzhak Fried at Sourasky Medical Center. These experts specialize in awake craniotomy, pediatric brain tumors, and functional mapping. Most hold JCI accreditation and international fellowships from institutions like Johns Hopkins and Yale.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Data shows that top-tier Israeli neurosurgeons, such as those at Sourasky Medical Center, often hold dual board certifications in Israel and the US. This unique crossover ensures patients receive American-standard protocols. These specialists typically manage over 34,000 annual operations, providing high-volume clinical experience that smaller private clinics cannot match.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that highly qualified doctors like Professor Shlomo Constantini provide satisfactory answers quickly. People emphasize that outcomes often depend on the hospital’s integrated resources rather than just a doctor's prestige.
Israel is a global leader in neurosurgery, treating complex brain and spinal conditions using robotic-assisted and minimally invasive techniques. Highly specialized units at JCI-accredited centers like Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov) and Hadassah Medical Center focus on neuro-oncology, pediatric neurosurgery, and functional procedures.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli neurosurgical departments often function as rapid-response hubs for international patients. Data shows that large centers like Sourasky, which serves 1,800,000 patients annually, can organize expert video consultations in a very short time. This speed is critical for neuro-oncology cases where starting treatment a few days earlier significantly impacts outcomes.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that Israeli teams often accept high-risk cases that other hospitals decline. They emphasize the importance of using local coordinators to manage travel logistics or potential local disruptions during their two-week stay.
International patients traveling to Israel for neurosurgery require a valid passport, an entry permit or medical visa, and a formal hospital invitation. You must provide recent MRI or CT scans in DICOM format and detailed medical summaries. Proof of private health insurance and financial stability are also mandatory for border entry.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Our data shows that top neurosurgeons at Hadassah Medical Center and Sourasky often request records 4–6 weeks before arrival. Submitting these early prevents appointment shifts. High-volume centers with over 30,000 annual operations have dedicated portals for secure DICOM file uploads. Using these ensures your surgeon reviews high-quality images before you land in Tel Aviv.
Patient Consensus: Patients emphasize bringing physical copies and digital backups of all scans on a USB drive. They also note that private insurance needs pre-authorization specifically for neurosurgery to avoid payment delays at the clinic.