San Raffaele
Cardiology in Italy typically costs from $14,700 to $43,100. The total expense depends on whether you access the public system as a resident or use private clinics, alongside the specific procedure complexity and hospital stay duration. International patients often save 40-50% compared to US private healthcare rates.
Typical Cardiology Costs in Italy
Major cardiology centers are found in Milan and Rome, where private prices can be slightly higher than in southern cities. Because costs vary based on your specific medical history, you should consult with a specialist to get accurate pricing for your case.
| Italy | Turkey | Austria | |
| Transluminal Arterial Angioplasty (PTA) and Stenting | from $12,000 | from $2,000 | from $15,000 |
| Resveratrol IV Therapy | from $800 | from $200 | from $600 |
| Radiofrequency ablation with 3D mapping | from $10,000 | from $6,000 | from $13,000 |
| Radiofrequency ablation | from $11,000 | from $6,300 | from $15,000 |
| Pulmonary hypertension stem cell treatment | from $30,000 | from $12,000 | from $55,000 |
No hidden fees – just official clinic prices. Pay at the clinic for Cardiology treatment upon arrival and use a flexible installment plan if needed.
Bookimed is committed to your safety. We only work with medical institutions that maintain high international standards in Cardiology treatment and have the necessary licenses to serve international patients worldwide.
Bookimed offers free expert assistance. A personal medical coordinator supports you before, during, and after your treatment, solving any issues. You're never alone on your Cardiology treatment journey.
Pioneer of a groundbreaking epicardial ablation procedure for Brugada syndrome – Prof. Pappone leads San Donato Hospital's arrhythmia unit with global recognition.
Cardiology
Principal investigator for the Protected TAVR study – Dr. Castriota specializes in brain protection during aortic valve procedures at Maria Cecilia Hospital.
Written by Kateryna Zamkovska
Italian cardiac surgeons undergo approximately 12 years of rigorous training. This includes a 6-year medical degree and a competitive 6-year residency. Surgeons must register with the Provincial Medical Council (Ordine dei Medici) and follow European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines to ensure high safety standards.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Italian cardiac centers often specialize in exceptionally high volumes of specific conditions. For example, San Donato Hospital performs over 9,400 heart surgeries annually. This massive volume allows surgeons to refine niche techniques, such as the surgical reconstruction of the left ventricle, which are rarely available elsewhere in Europe.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that Italian doctors are highly competent and take significant time to explain procedures. Many feel more supported in Italy than in their home countries, especially when seeking specialized treatments for complex heart rhythm or valve issues.
Heart surgery recovery in Italy follows a structured pathway focusing on medical stabilization and early mobilization. Patients typically stay in the hospital for 5 to 10 days post-operation. Physical therapy often begins on the first day. Specialized centers later provide 4 to 12 weeks of intensive cardiac rehabilitation.
Bookimed Expert Insight: High-volume centers like San Donato Hospital, which performs 8,400+ operations annually, often achieve faster discharge times. These facilities use a multidisciplinary heart team approach. This coordination typically streamlines the transition from surgery to rehabilitation. Data suggests clinics with IRCCS accreditation by the Italian Ministry of Health provide integrated research-driven recovery protocols.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that walking starts as early as the first or second day after surgery to speed up recovery. Many emphasize the importance of having family support at home during the first 4 weeks when lifting and driving restrictions are strictest.
Eligibility for minimally invasive or robotic heart surgery in Italy depends on a multidisciplinary Heart Team assessment. Candidates typically require specific anatomical suitability and stable health. Primary indications include mitral valve repair, septal defect closures, and certain coronary bypass cases. Surgeons prioritize these techniques for patients needing faster recovery times.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Data shows that San Donato Hospital performs 9,400+ heart operations annually, the highest volume in Italy. This massive throughput allows their surgeons, like Dr. Lorenzo Menicanti with 15,000+ surgeries, to qualify patients for robotic procedures that smaller centers might deem too complex. Volume often translates to broader eligibility for borderline cases.
Patient Consensus: Patients note it is important to share all previous chest surgery history early. They emphasize that while some may face long waits in public hospitals, private clinics often provide faster access for those meeting the robotic surgery criteria.
International cardiac patients in Italy require a valid passport, medical history translated into Italian, and recent diagnostic scans in DICOM format. Admission depends on a signed private payment agreement or a valid letter of guarantee from an insurer. Clinics like San Donato Hospital require these for all elective procedures.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Italian research hospitals like San Donato Hospital perform over 9,400 cardiac operations annually. This high volume allows them to provide standardized ICD and procedure codes efficiently. Choosing these centers often simplifies the reimbursement process because their billing departments are familiar with international insurance requirements.
Patient Consensus: Patients note it is vital to get every document translated into Italian before arriving. They also emphasize that private facilities like Humanitas handle insurance paperwork much faster than public hospitals.
Milan and Rome are Italy's primary hubs for internationally oriented cardiac care, offering specialized multilingual support. Centers like San Donato Hospital and San Raffaele in Milan provide dedicated services for global patients. These facilities feature world-renowned specialists and carry prestigious Joint Commission International (JCI) or IRCCS research accreditations.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Don't assume all staff speak your language. Data shows that while centers like Maria Cecilia Hospital or San Donato Hospital have high international ratings, multilingual support is often concentrated in administrative offices. Choosing a clinic with high surgical volumes, like those performing 8,000+ operations yearly, typically ensures more experience with international medical documentation and logistical coordination.
Patient Consensus: Patients note it is important to confirm your specific cardiologist speaks English before arrival. Many find that while hospital websites promise multilingual services, hiring an independent medical interpreter for complex clinical discussions provides much-needed peace of mind.
Plan a total stay of 9 to 15 days in Italy for a coronary angioplasty. This timeframe includes 2 to 7 days for pre-operative diagnostics. Most patients spend 1 to 3 nights in the hospital. You must wait 5 to 7 days before flying home.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Italian research centers like San Donato Hospital and San Raffaele hold IRCCS accreditation. This status means they combine clinical care with advanced research. Patients benefit from specialists like Dr. Alberto Margonato, who has performed 1,000+ stent implants. High-volume centers often manage complex cases with better efficiency and safety.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that doctors take time to answer every question thoroughly. It is important to stay within 30 minutes of the clinic during the first week of recovery.