Ewha Womans University Medical Center
Ewha Womans University Medical Center
Republic of Korea, Seoul
Paik Nam-sun
47 years of experience
accreditations :
Clinic is certified :
Open heart surgery in the Republic of Korea typically costs from $28,500 to $44,500. Final prices depend on the specific cardiac condition, hospital tier, and chosen surgical technique. Patients from the United States save around 77% compared to domestic costs, where the average price is $160,000. Quotes generally include the procedure, anesthesia, and a hospital stay of 5 to 10 days.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Choosing a high-volume center like Asan Medical Center offers exceptional value. This hospital performs 45% of all heart transplants in South Korea. It maintains a 90% success rate while serving over 2,500 inpatients daily. Top-tier Seoul hospitals like Severance and SNUH are JCI-accredited. They provide a level of care that attracts the South Korean President and international patients alike.
Why choose the Republic of Korea for open heart surgery?
Access advanced open heart surgery solutions in trusted clinics .
| Republic of Korea | Turkey | Austria | |
| Open heart surgery | from $28,500 | from $8,000 | from $70,000 |
| Atrial septal defect surgery | from $18,500 | from $12,000 | from $40,000 |
| Ventricular Septal Defect Surgery | - | from $12,000 | from $40,000 |
| Tetralogy of Fallot Surgery | - | from $18,000 | from $120,000 |
| Interventricular septal defect surgery | - | from $18,000 | from $60,000 |
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.
1,200+ pediatric and congenital cardiac interventions performed — Professor Kim is a leading expert in catheter-based treatments for complex heart conditions.
Dr. Paik Nam-sun is a surgical oncologist at Ewha Womans University Medical Center in Seoul. He is recognized as one of the world's top 100 gastric and breast cancer surgeons. He performed the first breast-conserving surgery in South Korea. Dr. Paik also invented a proprietary stomach cancer technique to reduce reflux disease risk.
The doctor is an expert in oncoplastic surgery and breast cancer, with extensive experience from prestigious institutions. The doctor holds an M.D. degree from Seoul National University College of Medicine and an M.S. degree in Surgery from the same institution. Additionally, the doctor earned a B.S. in biological sciences from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) and a Ph.D. in Surgery from Seoul National University Graduate School.
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.
Reputable Seoul hospitals for open heart surgery include Asan Medical Center, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, and Severance Hospital. These JCI-accredited centres have dedicated heart institutes. They perform thousands of annual procedures and offer 24/7 interpreter services. Their success rates reach 90% for complex cardiac transplants.
Bookimed Expert Insight: High-volume centres like Seoul National University Bundang Hospital offer superior safety through experience. They perform over 2,400 open heart surgeries annually. Patients should prioritise hospitals with dedicated Heart Institutes. These units provide integrated specialist teams that general surgical departments may lack.
Patient Consensus: Expect to pay the full surgical cost in cash or card before hospital discharge. Korean hospitals require a personal caregiver or family member. They must stay with the patient throughout recovery. Excellent English support is available through dedicated international departments in Seoul.
South Korea is a safe and high-quality location for open heart surgery. Leading Seoul hospitals like Severance Hospital and Asan Medical Center hold Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation. These centres maintain exceptional surgical success rates and often perform thousands of cardiac operations annually for international patients.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Open heart surgery typically costs from $28,500 to $44,500. However, the real advantage is the local technology. Hospitals like SNUBH are fully digital, reducing medical errors through the BESTcare safety system. This infrastructure helps surgeons manage the high volume of complex cases safely.
Patient Consensus: South Korean cardiac staff respond within minutes during emergencies. Australian patients should choose major Seoul hospitals. These provide 24/7 English support and translation services.
Typical recovery after open heart surgery in South Korea requires a 14-day stay. This includes 5 to 10 days of hospitalisation. Everyday activities resume within 4 to 6 weeks. However, full sternum healing and physical rehabilitation usually take 3 to 6 months.
Bookimed Expert Insight: South Korean cardiovascular centres handle high volumes. For instance, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital's centre performs over 2,400 open heart surgeries annually. This high volume allows specialised inpatient rehabilitation protocols. These start just 5 days after surgery. This is much earlier than standard domestic recovery timelines.
Patient Consensus: Recovery in South Korea involves intense early monitoring and physical therapy. Patients suggest bringing a companion for the first 48 hours. They also recommend avoiding flights for at least 6 weeks.
South Korean hospitals provide robotic cardiac surgery. It treats conditions like valvular disease and atrial septal defects. These procedures typically use the da Vinci system. This approach provides minimally invasive access, avoiding the large chest incision needed in traditional open heart surgery.
Bookimed Expert Insight: While 19 Korean hospitals offer robotic techniques, 94% of cases occur in major Seoul centres. Choosing high-volume clinics like Seoul National University Hospital ensures access to experienced surgeons. These surgeons treat 30,000+ international patients annually, maintaining excellent survival rates.
Patient Consensus: Patients can expect faster recovery and smaller scars. They often have five small incisions instead of one large chest cut. South Korean facilities provide 24/7 interpreters and personal coordinators. They help manage the complex logistics of cardiac care.
South Korea’s top clinics for open heart surgery are mainly in Seoul. They concentrate in the Songpa, Seongnam, and Seodaemun districts. These tertiary-care hospitals, including Asan Medical Center and Severance Hospital, hold JCI and KOIHA accreditations. They perform thousands of cardiac surgeries annually with high success rates.
Bookimed Expert Insight: While heart surgery in Seoul costs from $28,500 to $44,500, the real value lies in volume. Asan Medical Center alone performs 65,000+ surgeries annually. This high frequency helps surgeons maintain lower complication rates compared to smaller regional centres.
Patient Consensus: Focus on tertiary hospitals with dedicated cardiovascular centres and international patient offices. Verified interpreters and clear follow-up plans are essential for successful recoveries in South Korea.