Memorial Göztepe Hospital
Dr. Nermina Alagic is an attending cardiologist at Anadolu Medical Center in Istanbul, a Johns Hopkins Medicine affiliate. She graduated from Istanbul University–Cerrahpaşa. She completed her cardiology residency at Istanbul Mehmet Akif Ersoy Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery Hospital (2014–2018). She focuses on cardiac imaging. She has expertise in 2D/3D transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography (TTE/TEE). She advanced this training through research at the UAB Echo Lab (2015) and hands-on 2D/3D TEE work in the TEE Lab (2018–2019).
Her research covers photomedicine and cardiology. Her papers appear in Journal of Biomedical Optics, PNAS, Photochemistry and Photobiology, Echocardiography, Minerva Cardioangiologica, and Archives of Medical Science (2013–2020). She completed a clinical and interventional cardiology observership at Royal North Shore Hospital in Sydney (2019). She also worked at the Harvard Medical School Wellman Center for Photomedicine (2012–2013). She is a full member of the Turkish Society of Cardiology and the European Society of Cardiology, and an EACVI silver member. Award: ASP Fredrick Urbach Memorial Student Travel Award (2013).
Associate Professor of Cardiology at Dr. Siyami Ersek Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery Training and Research Hospital – specializes in post-MI complications.
Dr. Cenk İndelen is a cardiovascular surgery specialist. He has practiced since 2002. He has worked at Istanbul Florence Nightingale Hospital since 2025. He completed his residency in thoracic, cardiovascular, and vascular surgery at Kocaeli University (1996–2002). He became an associate professor in 2023.
His focus is patient blood management and cardiothoracic optimization. He has published on transfusion cost-effectiveness and PBM implementation (Cardiovasc J Afr, 2023). He has also reported on the economics of aortic valve replacement (Heart Surg Forum, 2023) and techniques in coronary, mitral, and aortic surgery. His work also appears in JAMA (2023), Crit Care Med (2025), and Transfusion (2025).
Accreditations and memberships: Orsi da Vinci robotic console training (Belgium, 2014). Koç University Animal Use Certificate (2017). Society for the Advancement of Patient Blood Management course (2020). Publons Peer Reviewer course (2020). Member of the Turkish Society of Cardiovascular Surgery, ISMICS, the ERAS Society, the Blood Transfusion Society, the Society for the Advancement of PBM, and ASCVTS.
Turkish cardiac centers treat mechanical, electrical, and ischemic complications following a heart attack. Specialists perform ventricular septal repairs, heart valve plastic surgery, and 3D mapping for arrhythmias. Regional hospitals utilize 512-slice CT and hybrid operating rooms for rapid, high-precision structural repairs.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Turkish cardiac infrastructure is built for high-volume complexity. Prof. Dr. Deniz Suha Kucukaksu at Başkent University Istanbul Hospital pioneered artificial heart programs locally. This specialization allows Turkish centers to handle end-stage heart failure cases that many standard clinics cannot manage. Major facilities like Memorial Göztepe Hospital integrate 512-slice CT for near-instant diagnostic clarity in emergency cardiac events.
Patient Consensus: Patients note it is important to choose large private centers in major cities for complex surgeries. Many urge others not to delay care if they experience instability after a heart attack.
Turkey offers advanced cardiac care at JCI-accredited facilities specializing in post-heart attack complications. Leading centers like Memorial Göztepe Hospital and Anadolu Medical Center provide complex coronary artery bypass grafting, robotic surgery, and interventional valve repairs. These hospitals feature high-tech hybrid operating rooms and intensive care units.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Patient volume often signals technical proficiency in Istanbul. Experienced professors like Dr. Deniz Suha Kucukaksu or Dr. Murat Sunbul frequently practice across multiple high-end clinics. This means selecting a surgeon with 100+ publications or 30+ years of experience ensures access to the most refined techniques regardless of the specific hospital branch.
Patient Consensus: Patients emphasize selecting facilities with 24/7 catheterization labs and on-site surgical backup. Many note that private hospitals provide faster access to care and more comfortable recovery suites compared to large research institutions.
Post-infarction rehabilitation in Turkey utilizes multidisciplinary protocols combining cardiologist supervision, tailored exercise, and advanced imaging. Programs often integrate robot-assisted therapies and digital diagnostics within Joint Commission International-accredited facilities. Patients receive personalized plans for blood pressure control, stress management, and risk factor modification.
Bookimed Expert Insight: While many choose Istanbul for its high-volume hospitals like Optimed International, which treats 200,000 patients yearly, success depends on specific expertise. Selecting a doctor with sports cardiology or cardiac rehabilitation specializations, such as those at Liv Hospital, ensures exercise loads are safely optimized based on performance evaluations rather than just standard discharge follow-ups.
Patient Consensus: Patients emphasize the need to confirm whether programs include active monitoring for warning signs like palpitations or shortness of breath during sessions. They advise requesting a printed plan for home exercise and return-to-work timelines before leaving the clinic.
Preventing a second heart attack requires strict medication adherence and structured lifestyle adjustments. Key measures include taking prescribed blood thinners and statins. Patients should participate in professional cardiac rehabilitation programs. Quitting smoking and managing weight through a heart-healthy diet significantly improve long-term cardiovascular outcomes.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Turkish cardiac centers emphasize high-volume expertise for post-infarction care. Professor Dr. Deniz Suha Kucukaksu at Başkent University has over 35 years of experience. This deep expertise is vital when managing complex recoveries. Modern facilities like Memorial Göztepe use 512-slice CT scans for precise follow-up monitoring. Choosing centers with high patient volumes, like Optimed International Hospital, ensures access to established recovery protocols.
Patient Consensus: Patients emphasize that joining a rehab program helps regain confidence during physical activity. Many note that treating smoking cessation as a non-negotiable step is the most challenging but effective change.