David Mishaali

New
26 years of experience
Location: Israel, Ramat Gan
Clinic:
5.0
Sheba Medical Center
Dr. David (Dudi) Mishali, MD, is Director of Pediatric and Congenital Cardiothoracic Surgery at Sheba Medical Center. He treats infants and children with congenital heart defects. His work includes rare, high-risk anomalies and complex newborn reconstructions.

He trained internationally. He completed his residency at Rabin Medical Center and clinical fellowships in cardiac surgery at the Cleveland Clinic and in congenital pediatric cardiothoracic surgery at UCSF. He is board certified in cardiothoracic surgery. He developed and implemented minimally invasive methods that reduce surgical trauma and improve cosmetic results.

He is a Senior Lecturer at Tel Aviv University’s Sackler Faculty of Medicine. He has written many peer-reviewed papers and book chapters, including on point-of-care testing in children during cardiopulmonary bypass and on accessory mitral valve tissue. He holds a leadership role at a hospital ranked among the world’s top 10.
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Bookimed Insights: Top Ventricular septal defect Specialists in Israel (2026)

Bookimed has coordinated 1 requests for Ventricular septal defect treatment in Israel, collaborating with 1 top-rated specialists. The doctors in this table are selected based on their international credentials, clinical expertise, and patient outcomes. The 2026 ranking is formed using verified data from actual patient cases and current programs from our partner clinics.

Rank	Doctor	experience	Good Fit For	What Sets Them Apart	Clinic & Location	Consultation

FAQ

These FAQs come from real patients seeking medical assistance through Bookimed. Answers are given by experienced medical coordinators and trusted clinic representatives.

Is surgery the only option for ventricular septal defect (VSD) in Israel, or are less-invasive alternatives available?

Surgical repair is not the only option for ventricular septal defect in Israel. Israeli centers utilize non-surgical transcatheter closures for suitable patients. These procedures use occluder devices guided by catheters. This approach avoids large chest incisions and significantly shortens recovery times.

Catheter closure: A specialized plug-like device is deployed via the groin.
Success rates: Israeli cardiac centers report success rates of 95% to 97%.
Minimally invasive: Surgeons use small thoracoscopic incisions to avoid opening the chest.
Treatment eligibility: Feasibility depends on the defect size and muscle location.

Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli cardiology clinics like Rambam Medical Center manage nearly 1,000,000 patients annually. This massive volume often allows specialists to offer hybrid approaches for complex cases. These combine catheter precision with micro-surgical access to reduce infection risks in infants.

Patient Consensus: Parents frequently note that transcatheter closure allows children to recover in days. Many appreciate the watchful waiting approach for small defects that often close naturally by age 2.

What are the success and complication rates for VSD closure performed in Israeli hospitals?

Israeli hospitals report a success rate of 95% to 97% for ventricular septal defect closure. Surgical mortality remains near 0% in modern pediatric series. Complications occur in approximately 5% of cases. Most issues like minor residual shunts or arrhythmias resolve without long-term impact on patient health.

Procedure success: Defect closure rates typically reach 95% to 97% in major centers.
Survival rate: Contemporary surgical studies report a 100% survival rate for standard repairs.
Minor complications: Temporary rhythm issues or small leaks occur in approximately 5% of cases.
Stay and recovery: Patients stay 3 to 5 days with full recovery within 6 weeks.

Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli cardiology excels due to high clinical volumes and academic integration. Facilities like Sourasky Medical Center manage 34,000 surgeries annually, ensuring doctors maintain peak proficiency. Specialist Dr. David Mishaali at Sheba Medical Center uniquely offers minimally invasive approaches for congenital defects. This technique reduces physical trauma compared to traditional open-heart surgery. Choosing specialists with global fellowships, especially from the USA, correlates with high technical precision in complex VSD repairs.

Patient Consensus: Parents emphasize that early intervention is vital to prevent future device complications. Many note that choosing centers performing over 100 cases yearly helps keep complication rates under 2%.

How long will I need to stay in Israel before and after ventricular septal defect repair?

Plan for a 14 to 15 day stay in Israel for ventricular septal defect repair. You should arrive 2 days before surgery for assessments. Hospitalization typically lasts 5 to 7 days. Patients should remain local for 5 additional days to ensure flight safety.

Pre-operative assessment: Arrive 2 days early for ECG, blood tests, and imaging.
Hospital duration: Stay 5 to 7 days for monitoring and initial recovery.
ICU monitoring: Expect to spend the first 1 to 2 days after surgery.
Travel clearance: Wait 10 to 14 days post-op to avoid plane barotrauma.

Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli centers like Sourasky Medical Center manage over 400,000 patients annually with high efficiency. Our data shows top surgeons like Dr. David Mishaali at Sheba prioritize minimally invasive techniques. These methods often reduce hospital stays to just 4 days for pediatric patients. Choosing a specialist focused on congenital defects can significantly shorten your total time in-country.

Patient Consensus: Patients note that recovery often moves faster than expected. Many families emphasize booking a hotel very close to the hospital for the post-discharge week.

Which Israeli hospitals and specialists most commonly treat international patients with VSD?

Israeli hospitals like Sourasky Medical Center and Sheba Medical Center frequently treat international patients with ventricular septal defects. These institutions utilize JCI-accredited facilities and minimally invasive closure techniques. Specialists such as Dr. David Mishaali and Dr. Livia Kapusta lead dedicated pediatric cardiac programs.

Sourasky Medical Center: Newsweek-ranked facility treating over 1,800,000 patients annually in Tel Aviv.
Sheba Medical Center: Home to specialized departments for complex pediatric and congenital cardiothoracic surgery.
Rambam Medical Center: JCI-accredited hospital in Haifa serving nearly 1,000,000 patients every year.
Expert specialists: Dr. Livia Kapusta and Dr. Avraham Lorber focus on interventional congenital treatments.

Bookimed Expert Insight: Data shows a clear distinction between high-volume multidisciplinary centers like Sourasky and Rambam. Sourasky serves 1,800,000 patients annually with 2,200 doctors on staff. This scale allows for rapid multidisciplinary consultations. Conversely, Rambam serves nearly 1,000,000 patients and holds multiple Newsweek rankings. Patients needing complex valve work alongside VSD closure should prioritize these high-capacity academic centers.

Patient Consensus: Families suggest booking through specialized coordinators to bypass long waitlists at major Jerusalem hospitals. Many note that dedicated pediatric wings at Schneider offer helpful family lodging perks.

Will I have visible scars after VSD surgery in Israel?

Scar visibility after VSD surgery in Israel depends on whether surgeons use transcatheter closure or invasive surgery. Minimally invasive techniques result in tiny marks or none. Traditional methods leave a central chest line. Israeli specialists prioritize cosmetic results by hiding incisions under the arm or near the nipple.

Transcatheter closure: Simple puncture in the groin leaves no visible chest scar.
Minimally invasive: Incisions under 8 cm are often hidden under the arm.
Median sternotomy: A vertical central chest scar fades significantly over 12 months.
Adjuvant therapies: Israeli clinics offer laser and cryotherapy to refine scar texture.

Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli pediatric surgeons like Dr. David Mishaali at Sheba Medical Center specialize in customized minimally invasive approaches. Our data shows high-volume centers like Sourasky Medical Center perform over 34,000 operations annually. This immense surgical volume allows doctors to refine techniques that specifically reduce visible scarring for younger patients. Choosing a specialist who holds a fellowship from institutions like the Cleveland Clinic ensures access to these advanced aesthetic protocols.

Patient Consensus: Patients note that while midline scars are visible initially, they eventually fade into thin, pale lines. Many emphasize that proactive sun protection and silicone gels are essential for the best cosmetic healing.

What pre-operative tests are required for foreign patients having VSD treatment in Israel?

Israeli cardiac centers require transthoracic echocardiograms and 12-lead electrocardiograms to finalize ventricular septal defect surgical plans. Foreign patients undergo a two-day diagnostic protocol. This includes chest X-rays and comprehensive blood panels to ensure procedural safety at facilities like Sourasky Medical Center.

Core imaging: Heart ultrasound and MRI help surgeons map the exact defect location.
Cardiac assessment: An electrocardiogram monitors heart rhythm to detect any pre-existing arrhythmias.
Laboratory screenings: Blood work checks clotting factors, electrolytes, and infectious disease markers.
Diagnostic specialty: Pediatric cardiologists like Dr. Livia Kapusta review results during initial consultations.

Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli specialists often require heart MRIs despite recent ultrasounds from your home country. Data shows centers like Sourasky manage over 400,000 patients yearly by maintaining these strict diagnostic standards. This local verification confirms high success rates for complex congenital heart repairs.

Patient Consensus: Parents note that hospitals frequently repeat all imaging and blood tests upon arrival in Israel. Families suggest bringing digital copies of local records but preparing for a full on-site re-evaluation.

How soon can I fly home after VSD closure in Israel?

Patients typically fly home 7 to 14 days after catheter-based VSD closure. For surgical open-heart repair, international travel usually requires 3 to 6 weeks. Israeli specialists require a clear follow-up echocardiogram and a fit-to-fly certificate before departure to ensure stability.

Catheter-based window: Flying is generally safe within 1 to 2 weeks post-procedure.
Surgical repair timeline: Wait 10 to 14 days for short flights after surgery.
Long-haul travel: Doctors recommend 3 to 6 weeks for international flights home.
Sternum healing: Travel timing depends on cabin pressure risks to the healing bone.

Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli centers like Sourasky Medical Center manage high pediatric volumes with around 11,450 children treated annually. Due to this experience, specialists like Dr. Livia Kapusta often prioritize specialized imaging like heart MRIs to confirm patch stability before clearing international travel. Even with a 90% success rate in complex cases, staying near the clinic for 10 days post-discharge is a vital safety buffer.

Patient Consensus: Parents note that children might experience ear pain or fatigue if flying within a week after a device closure. Many emphasize the need for an aisle seat and extra hydration to stay comfortable during long flights from Israel.

Best Ventricular septal defect doctors in Ramat Gan: TOP 1 doctor

Get quotes from 3 top specialists in Israel