San Donato Hospital
Replacement of the aortic valve in Italy typically costs from $50,000 to $80,000. The total price depends on the chosen surgical technique, hospital tier, and the patient's specific medical needs. In the US, similar procedures cost around $162,500 on average. Italy offers savings of approximately 60%. Quotes usually include the surgical procedure, pre-operative evaluations, and essential intensive care stays.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Italy is a powerhouse for cardiac care. San Donato Hospital performs over 9,400 heart operations annually. This high volume often leads to better patient outcomes. Choosing Milan-based IRCCS research hospitals ensures access to the latest valve technologies. Packages at premier clinics like San Raffaele typically run about $43,000. This provides elite care at a fraction of US private costs.
Why choose Italy for replacement of the aortic valve?
Access advanced Replacement of the aortic valve solutions in trusted clinics .
| Italy | Turkey | Austria | |
| Replacement of the aortic valve | from $50,000 | from $20,340 | from $35,000 |
No hidden fees – just official clinic prices. Pay at the clinic for Replacement of the aortic valve 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 Replacement of the aortic valve 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 Replacement of the aortic valve journey.
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Please note, each patient"s case is individual and may vary.
Dr. Castriota is the principal investigator of the Protected TAVR study, evaluating brain protection during aortic valve replacement.
Prof Giuseppe Speziale specializes in minimally invasive aortic valve surgery, leading cardiac surgery departments at multiple prestigious hospitals.
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.
This procedure involves replacing a diseased aortic valve with a mechanical or bioprosthetic valve to improve heart function.
Cardiologists in Italy utilize traditional open-heart surgery (SAVR), minimally invasive techniques, and transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). These approaches differ by incision size, recovery speed, and patient suitability, with Italian centers like San Donato Hospital in Milan performing over 9,400 cardiovascular procedures annually.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Maria Cecilia Hospital handles over 15% of all cardiac surgeries in Italy, signaling a massive concentration of expertise. This volume suggests that Italian regional centers have specialized roles, where specific clinics dominate the national surgical workload through high-repetition mastery of complex valve replacements.
Patient Consensus: Many patients emphasize choosing SAVR for long-term valve durability exceeding 20 years. Conversely, TAVR is favored by older patients seeking to avoid sternotomy despite the higher risk of requiring a pacemaker.
Aortic valve replacement in Italy is safe, governed by strict European healthcare regulations and the Italian Ministry of Health IRCCS standards. Dedicated centers like San Donato Hospital perform over 9,400 heart operations annually. High safety levels are maintained through minimally invasive techniques and JCI-accredited surgical protocols.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Italian cardiac centers demonstrate exceptional specialization hubs. For example, Maria Cecilia Hospital handles over 15% of all Italian cardiac surgeries. This high volume directly correlates with improved safety outcomes. Patients should look for hospitals listed in Newsweek's World's Best Hospitals for added quality assurance.
International patients typically stay in Italy for 14 to 28 days for aortic valve replacement. While hospital discharge occurs within 1 to 14 days depending on the technique, a full recovery timeline spans 6 to 12 weeks for most individuals.
Bookimed Expert Insight: High-volume centers like San Donato Hospital perform over 9,400 cardiac operations annually. This volume is critical because data shows experienced teams often reduce hospital stays to just 5 days for minimally invasive cases. Patients should choose clinics with IRCCS research status for access to the latest valve protocols.
Patient Consensus: Many patients suggest booking flexible flights and arranging a travel companion. Fatigue is common, and airlines frequently require a medical clearance certificate for solo travelers within 10 days of surgery.
Aortic valve replacement in Italy typically leaves permanent scars, though their visibility depends on the surgical technique used. Most incisions fade to thin, flat lines over 12 to 18 months. Specialized clinics in Milan and Rome use advanced minimally invasive methods to reduce scarring and speed recovery.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Italian centers like Maria Cecilia Hospital perform over 15% of the country's cardiac surgeries, offering high-volume expertise in TAVR. Patients choosing transcatheter approaches avoid chest incisions entirely, which is a major trend for those prioritizing aesthetics and rapid return to work.
Patient Consensus: Many patients find the scar looks most prominent at 6–12 weeks before improving. Starting gentle massage at 3–4 weeks is highly recommended to improve skin flexibility and texture.
Suitable candidates for aortic valve replacement in Italy include those with severe symptomatic stenosis or regurgitation. Eligibility depends on age, physical frailty, and the ability to tolerate anticoagulants. Italian clinics use multidisciplinary heart teams to select between minimally invasive, endovascular, or open-heart approaches.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Italian centers like San Donato Hospital perform over 9,400 heart operations annually. High-volume centers often treat complex cases that others might reject. If you have severe CAD combined with valve issues, look for clinics with IRCCS research accreditation. These facilities often provide access to combined endovascular and surgical protocols not available in smaller hospitals.
Patient Consensus: Patients value the multidisciplinary approach where cardiologists and surgeons jointly decide on valve types. Many report relief when offered minimally invasive options that significantly reduce their time spent in the ICU.
Milan and Bologna are primary Italian hubs for high-volume aortic valve programmes, featuring IRCCS-accredited research hospitals like San Donato Hospital. These facilities provide clinical coordination, dedicated international departments, medical visa invitation letters, and specialized transfer services to streamline logistics for cardiovascular patients.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Milan dominates the Italian cardiac landscape with clinics like San Donato managing 300,000 patients annually. While smaller cities like Bari or Ravenna have expert surgeons, the Milan-based clusters offer the most robust dedicated infrastructure for managing heavy international patient flows and complex visa coordination.
Patient Consensus: Patients recommend contacting international coordinators directly to confirm accommodation partnerships. It is highly valued when clinics assist with post-operative follow-up and local orientation for family members.
Post-operative care for aortic valve replacement in Italy involves immediate monitoring to prevent infection or clots and long-term anticoagulation management. Standard protocols include strict wound hygiene, respiratory therapy with incentive spirometers, and permanent lifestyle shifts centered on controlled nutrition and gradual low-impact mobilization.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Italian centers like Maria Cecilia Hospital and San Donato Hospital handle over 15% of the country cardiac surgeries, offering deep expertise in minimally invasive techniques. Research led by specialists like Dr. Fausto Castriota emphasizes using brain protection devices during valve replacement to maximize safety. Choosing these high-volume research hospitals often ensures access to advanced rehabilitation protocols that standard clinics may not provide.
Patient Consensus: Many patients find managing blood thinners and vitamin K intake more challenging than the physical recovery itself. They strongly recommend stocking low-sodium foods and using pill organizers to maintain routine during the first 3 months.