San Donato Hospital
Open heart surgery in Italy typically costs from $35,000 to $70,000. Prices depend on the specific surgical technique, clinic tier, and the length of intensive care required. Patients save around 67% compared to the US, where this procedure costs $160,000 on average. Quotes usually include pre-operative evaluations, the surgical procedure, and a hospital stay of 3 to 5 days.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Choosing high-volume centers in Milan offers the best value for complex cardiac cases. San Donato Hospital performs over 9,400 vascular and heart operations annually. This massive volume often leads to better outcomes and streamlined care paths. For high-tech needs, San Raffaele is a research leader accredited by the Italian Ministry of Health. These facilities provide world-class expertise at a fraction of North American costs.
Why do patients choose Italy for open heart surgery?
Access advanced open heart surgery solutions in trusted clinics .
| Italy | Turkey | Austria | |
| Open heart surgery | from $35,000 | from $8,000 | from $70,000 |
| Ventricular Septal Defect Surgery | from $45,000 | from $12,000 | from $40,000 |
| Tetralogy of Fallot Surgery | from $40,000 | from $14,400 | from $120,000 |
| Interventricular septal defect surgery | from $35,000 | from $18,000 | from $60,000 |
| Atrial septal defect surgery | from $40,000 | from $12,000 | from $40,000 |
No hidden fees – just official clinic prices. Pay at the clinic for Open heart surgery 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 Open heart surgery 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 Open heart surgery journey.
Day 1 - Arrival
Day 2 - Pre-Operation
Day 3 - Open Heart Surgery
Day 4 to Day 14 - Post-Operation
Week 2 to Week 6 - Rehabilitation
Week 6 onwards
Please note that recovery times can vary from patient to patient. Always follow your doctor"s advice for the best results.
The doctor specializes in Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery, focusing on minimally invasive and noninvasive valvular surgeries. With a distinguished career, the doctor has contributed significantly to the field through research, publications, and active participation in professional organizations.
Graduating with honors from the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart Rome, the doctor further specialized in Cardiac Surgery at La Sapienza University. Currently, the doctor serves as the Director of Cardiac Surgery at Santa Maria Hospital and Anthea Hospital, and is the Vice President of GVM Care & Research.
The doctor is an acclaimed heart surgeon with over 15 years of experience in cardiac surgery, specializing in mitral valve repair. Known for developing the "Alfieri Mitral Repair" technique, which is the most widely used method for correcting mitral regurgitation. The doctor has performed over 15,000 cardiac procedures and authored more than 600 peer-reviewed articles and several books on cardiac surgery.
Currently serving as a Senior Consultant at the Cardiac Surgery Unit of San Raffaele Hospital, the doctor has previously directed the Cardiac Surgery Unit at the same institution and headed the Cardiac Surgery Department at the Civil Hospitals of Brescia. The doctor holds numerous patents for heart valve treatment devices and has received prestigious awards, including the 'Ambrogino d'Oro' and a gold medal from the European Cardiology Society.
Written by Kateryna Zamkovska
When considering Open heart surgery, it’s important to understand the different techniques and which is best suited for you. Here’s a concise comparison of popular options:
This procedure involves repairing a hole in the atrial septum to improve heart function and prevent complications.
This procedure corrects heart defects present from birth, improving oxygen flow and overall cardiac function.
This cardiac operation involves repairing a hole in the septum between the heart's ventricles to improve blood flow and heart function.
Main risks of open-heart surgery include bleeding, irregular heart rhythms like atrial fibrillation, and infections at the chest incision. Patients may juga face blood clots, stroke, or organ damage, particularly to the kidneys. Recovery involves managing potential cognitive changes and respiratory issues like pneumonia.
Bookimed Expert Insight: While Italy ranks globally for cardiac care, top centers like San Donato Hospital perform over 9,400 procedures annually. High-volume IRCCS-accredited hospitals show better outcomes because their specialized teams manage complex risks like mediastinitis more effectively than smaller general facilities.
Patient Consensus: Many patients emphasize that cognitive fog can last longer than expected. They recommend arranging home help for 2-3 months to manage persistent fatigue during the sternum healing process.
Preparation for open-heart surgery in Italy focuses on medical optimization and logistical planning. Patients must stop smoking 6 weeks pre-op and manage blood sugar to aid sternum healing. Vital steps include dental clearance to prevent infections and arranging post-operative care for the 6-week driving ban.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Milan serves as Italy's cardiac hub, featuring centers like San Donato Hospital which performs over 9,400 heart operations annually. Choosing high-volume IRCCS-accredited facilities often provides access to specialized English-speaking staff and the latest minimally invasive technologies not found in smaller regional clinics.
Patient Consensus: Many patients recommend hiring a local caregiver known as a badante before discharge. They also suggest joining support groups to help manage the common emotional challenges and temporary depression experienced during the long recovery phase.
Good candidates for minimally-invasive or off-pump cardiac surgery in Italy include patients with single-vessel disease, mitral valve issues, or high-risk profiles like renal failure or calcified aortas. These techniques avoid the heart-lung machine or full sternotomy, allowing for significantly faster recovery and reduced physical trauma.
Bookimed Expert Insight: San Donato Hospital performs over 9,400 cardiovascular operations annually, marking it as a high-volume leader. Data shows that specialized Italian research hospitals (IRCCS) maintain better outcomes for complex off-pump cases. Patients should prioritize clinics performing at least 100 minimally invasive procedures yearly to ensure surgeon proficiency.
Patient Consensus: Patients often highlight the rapid mobile recovery, frequently returning home within four days. Many value the aesthetic benefit of smaller incisions and the reduced need for blood transfusions.
Open-heart surgery typically lasts 3 to 6 hours, though complex cases can extend beyond 8 hours. Patients transfer immediately to the intensive care unit for 24 to 48 hours. Specialized teams monitor vital signs through arterial lines and provide respiratory support using ventilators.
Bookimed Expert Insight: High-volume centers like San Donato Hospital in Milan perform over 9,400 cardiac procedures annually. This massive scale often correlates with streamlined recovery protocols. Their specific IRCCS accreditation confirms that patients benefit from research-driven postoperative care not found in smaller facilities.
Patient Consensus: Many patients describe feeling cold or thirsty immediately after waking up. They emphasize that while the initial intensive care tubes feel restrictive, the support provided by specialized cardiac nurses is deeply reassuring.
Recovery after open-heart surgery in Italy typically lasts 6 to 12 weeks for a return to daily activities. Full physical healing and emotional stabilization generally occur within 6 to 12 months. Patients usually undergo intensive 3 to 4-week cardiac rehabilitation programs shortly after hospital discharge.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Italian centers like San Donato Hospital handle over 9,400 heart operations annually, which is the highest volume in Italy. This massive case load allows Italian clinics to offer specialized, research-backed rehabilitation that integrates faster than average European protocols. Patients often reach recovery milestones 10% quicker when treated at research-focused IRCCS-accredited facilities.
Patient Consensus: Many patients find the first 2 weeks at home the most challenging due to fatigue. They often report that strictly following the 45-minute rest periods makes a significant difference in their energy levels by week 4.
Lombardy, Lazio, and Emilia-Romagna represent Italy’s leading hubs for complex cardiac care. Milan serves as the primary gateway, hosting high-volume centers like San Donato Hospital. These facilities utilize IRCCS research status to provide advanced open-heart procedures for thousands of international patients annually.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Milan’s San Donato Hospital handles the highest volume of cardiac cases in Italy. This scale is vital for safety, as high-volume centers typically see better surgical outcomes. With 300,000 patients treated annually, the infrastructure for international visitors is exceptionally well-developed compared to smaller regional centers.
Patient Consensus: Patients frequently highlight the seamless coordination in Milan’s private wings. Many feel reassured by surgeons who have performed thousands of successful valve and bypass procedures.
Standard open-heart surgery involves a median sternotomy where surgeons split the breastbone completely to access the heart. Afterward, they secure the bone with permanent titanium wires. While a 6 to 8-inch vertical scar remains, it typically fades significantly over 12 months.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Italian research centers like San Donato Hospital perform over 8,400 operations annually, often pioneering techniques that reduce incision size. Patients choosing clinics with IRCCS accreditation benefit from research-driven protocols that prioritize both structural bone healing and advanced wound management. This high surgical volume typically correlates with more refined closure techniques and better aesthetic outcomes for the final scar.
Patient Consensus: Patients often feel a sense of relief as the central chest scar transitions from a prominent red line to a faint, flat mark. Most focus on their improved heart function rather than the permanent nature of the surgical site.