Best cardiac surgeons: TOP 118 doctors

Dr. Haşim Üstünsoy is a cardiovascular surgeon with over 36 years of experience. He is known for his expertise in minimally invasive heart surgeries and robotic surgeries. He provides services like radiofrequency ablation and installing heart pacemakers. Dr. Üstünsoy has published 37 articles in internationally refereed journals and 45 articles in national peer-reviewed journals.

• Specializes in coronary bypass, minimally invasive, and heart transplant surgeries.
• Trained in Turkey, with international experience in cardiovascular procedures.
• Success rates or statistics for heart surgery not provided in the biography.
• Doctor's ranking not mentioned in the biography.
• Holds certifications from Erciyes and Çukurova Universities in medicine.
• Member of institutions with a focus on cardiovascular surgery advancements.
• Offers online consultations for patients seeking heart surgery expertise.

Dr. Xavier Ruyra Baliarda is a leading cardiac surgeon with more than 35 years of experience. He specializes in thoracic and cardiovascular surgery, including cardiac transplantation. He is known worldwide for his skills in minimally invasive cardiac surgery, heart valve replacement, coronary artery bypass grafting, open heart surgery, and aortic aneurysm repair.

Dr. Ruyra is a recognized expert in the Ross procedure. He holds several patents for new techniques in valve repair and reconstruction. He is a member of the Spanish Society of Cardiac Surgery and the European Board of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. He also serves as an Associate Professor at the Autonomous University of Barcelona.

• Renowned in heart surgery, particularly for Brugada Syndrome treatment.
• Excels in cardiac ablations with over 25,000 procedures conducted.
• Expert in atrial fibrillation and arrhythmia surgeries.
• International practice includes training in Spain and France.
• Procedures also for heart failure and cardiomyopathies.
• Published 350+ papers, some on heart surgery techniques.
• Trains specialists worldwide, enhancing global heart surgery standards.
• Member of prestigious cardiology societies in Spain and Europe.
• Remote consultations available for heart surgery assessments.

Dr. Ozden Gul is a general surgeon trained at Istanbul University Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine. She completed her general surgery residency at Haydarpaşa Numune Training and Research Hospital. She has decades of surgical experience and is fluent in English.

Her practice includes gastrointestinal surgery (gallbladder disease, hernias, appendicitis, GI disorders). She also treats endocrine conditions (thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal) and breast disease, both benign and malignant. She manages emergency and trauma cases. She offers minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery.

She has worked at Haydarpaşa Numune, Bakırköy, Taksim First Aid, Uzunköprü State, Keşan State, Beykoz Medical Center, and Medivia Hospital. She is known for meticulous technique and patient-centered care.

Dr. Marc Ulrich Becher is an interventional cardiologist and heart failure specialist at Städtisches Klinikum Solingen. He is known for performing advanced procedures such as coronary angiography, radiofrequency ablation with 3D mapping, carotid angioplasty, and stenting.

Dr. Becher’s clinic carries out about 3,000 to 4,000 diagnostic and therapeutic procedures each year. These include complex coronary interventions, catheter-based valve replacements, and structural heart procedures. He is experienced in using advanced imaging techniques like IVUS and OCT for accurate diagnosis and treatment planning.

Dr. Becher is dedicated to providing thorough and compassionate care. He uses modern therapies for both acute and chronic cardiovascular diseases, focusing on patient safety and positive outcomes.

Dr. Ottavio Alfieri is an award-winning heart surgeon with over 15 years of experience in cardiac surgery, performing more than 15,000 cardiac procedures. He is the author of over 600 peer-reviewed articles and several books devoted to cardiac surgery, and is the developer of the "Alfieri Mitral Repair" technique. He has been awarded numerous honors, including the 'Ambrogino d'Oro' and the gold medal from the European Cardiology Society for his contributions to the field. He is a member of the European Society of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery, the European Society of Cardiology, and the American Association for Thoracic Surgery.

Cardiovascular Surgery Specialist

MEDICAL EXPERIENCE

2025 – present — Istanbul Florence Nightingale Hospital, Istanbul

2024 – 2025 — Memorial Şişli Hospital, Istanbul

2020 – 2024 — American Hospital, Istanbul

2018 – 2020 — Kartal-Koşuyolu High Specialization Training and Research

Hospital, Istanbul

2015 – 2018 — Koç University Hospital, Istanbul

2013 – 2015 — Liv Hospital Ulus, Istanbul

2011 – 2013 — Anadolu Medical Center, Kocaeli

2009 – 2011 — Medical Park Fatih Hospital, Istanbul

2002 – 2009 — Swiss Hospital, Istanbul

MEDICAL EDUCATION

2023 — Associate Professorship, American Hospital

1996 – 2002 — Residency in Thoracic, Cardiovascular and Vascular Surgery, Kocaeli University

1988 – 1994 — Medical Education, Gazi University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara

PROFESSIONAL TRAININGS, COURSES AND CONFERENCES

 Society for the Advancement of Patient Blood Management Course, 2020

 Publons Academy Peer Reviewer Course, 2020

 Koç University Animal Use Certificate for Experimental Procedures, 2017

 Orsi da Vinci Training Center Robotic Surgery Training Course (Console Surgery Course), Belgium, 2014

MEMBERSHIP IN PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS AND ORGANIZATIONS

 Turkish Society of Cardiovascular Surgery

 Blood Transfusion Society

 ERAS Society

 The International Society for Minimally Invasive Cardiothoracic Surgery

 Society for the Advancement of Patient Blood Management

 Asian Society for Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

Indelen, C., Kizmaz, Y. U., Kar, A., Shander, A., & Kırali, K. (2021). The cost of one unit blood transfusion components

and cost-effectiveness analysis results of transfusion improvement program. Turkish Journal of Thoracic and

Cardiovascular Surgery, 29(2), 150.

Platelet Transfusion Practices in the ICU: A Prospective Multicenter Cohort Study. Crit Care Med. 2025 Sep 26. doi:

10.1097/CCM.0000000000006880. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 41002230. van Wonderen SF, Raasveld SJ, Flint AWJ,

Schenk J, van den Oord C, Reuland MC, de Bruin S, Bakker J, Cecconi M, Feldheiser A, Meier J, Müller MCA, Scheeren

TWL, Hamid T, Piagnerelli M, Mahečić TT, Benes J, Russell L, Aguirre-Bermeo H, Triantafyllopoulou K, Chantziara V,

Gurjar M, Myatra SN, Pota V, Elhadi M, Gawda R, Mourisco M, Lance M, Neskovic V, Podbregar M, Llau JV, QuintanaDiaz M, Cronhjort M, Pfortmueller CA, Yapici N, Nielsen ND, Shah A, de Grooth HJ, McQuilten Z, Vlaar APJ, Aubron C;

InPUT Study Group.

Indelen, C., Kizmaz, Y. U., Erkilinc, A., Altinay, A. E., Shander, A., & Kirali, M. K. (2023). Creating blood conservation for

a cardiothoracic surgical hospital: when you have to start from scratch! Cardiovascular Journal of Africa, 34(3), 164–

168.

Indelen, C., Bas, T., Kar, A., Ergenc, E., Karademir, B. C., Sismanoglu, M., & Kirali, K. (2023, June). Cost-effectiveness

and clinical outcome of transcatheter versus sutureless aortic valve replacement. In The Heart Surgery Forum (Vol.

26, No. 3, pp. E284–E291).

Red Blood Cell Transfusion in the Intensive Care Unit. JAMA. 2023 Nov 21;330(19):1852–1861. doi:

10.1001/jama.2023.20737. Erratum in: JAMA. 2024 Aug 6;332(5):428. doi: 10.1001/jama.2024.12247. PMID:

37824112; PMCID: PMC10570913. Raasveld SJ, de Bruin S, Reuland MC, van den Oord C, Schenk J, Aubron C, Bakker

J, Cecconi M, Feldheiser A, Meier J, Müller MCA, Scheeren TWL, McQuilten Z, Flint A, Hamid T, Piagnerelli M, Tomic

Mahecic T, Benes J, Russell L, Aguirre-Bermeo H, Triantafyllopoulou K, Chantziara V, Gurjar M, Myatra SN, Pota V,

Elhadi M, Gawda R, Mourisco M, Lance M, Neskovic V, Podbregar M, Llau JV, Quintana-Diaz M, Cronhjort M,

Pfortmueller CA, Yapici N, Nielsen ND, Shah A, de Grooth HJ, Vlaar APJ; InPUT Study Group.

Cenk, I., & Kaan, K. M. (2022). Rashomon Effect on the Decision Process of Severe Coronary Artery Pathology:

“Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery or Percutaneous Coronary Angioplasty”.

Plasma transfusion in the intensive care unit. Transfusion. 2025 Jan;65(1):73–87. doi: 10.1111/trf.18071. Epub 2024

Dec 18. PMID: 39696779; PMCID: PMC11747124. van Haeren MMT, Raasveld SJ, de Bruin S, Reuland MC, van den

Oord C, Schenk J, Aubron C, Bakker J, Cecconi M, Feldheiser A, de Grooth HJ, Meier J, Scheeren TWL, McQuilten Z,

Flint A, Hamid T, Piagnerelli M, Mahečić TT, Benes J, Russell L, Aguirre-Bermeo H, Triantafyllopoulou K, Chantziara V,

Gurjar M, Myatra SN, Pota V, Elhadi M, Gawda R, Mourisco M, Lance M, Neskovic V, Podbregar M, Llau JV, QuintanaDiaz M, Cronhjort M, Pfortmueller CA, Yapici N, Nielsen ND, Shah A, Vlaar APJ, Müller MCA; InPUT Study Group.

Omay, O., Ozker, E., Indelen, C., Baskurt, M., Suzer, K., & Gunay, I. (2009, October). Posterior pericardial annuloplasty

in ischemic mitral regurgitation. In The Heart Surgery Forum (Vol. 12, No. 5, pp. E285–E290).

Suzer, K., Omay, O., Ozker, E., Indelen, C., & Gumus, B. (2009). Coronary artery bypass grafting and concomitant

descending aorta-to-bifemoral artery bypass via sternotomy. Cardiovascular Journal of Africa, 20(5), 300–302.

Ogus, N. T., Indelen, C., Yildirim, T., Selimoglu, O., & Basaran, M. (2007). Pericardial patch augmentation of both

anterior and septal leaflets in Ebstein’s anomaly. The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, 83(2), 676–678.

Mutluer, F. O., İndelen, C., Dinçer, N., Aslan, G., & Ateş, M. Ş. (2018). Unilateral leg edema: Is it always vascular? Turk

Kardiyol Dern Ars, 46(8), 706–709.

Omay, O., Ozker, E., Indelen, C., & Suzer, K. (2008). Revascularization of Left Anterior Descending (LAD) Artery with In

Situ Left Internal Thoracic Artery (LITA) and Coronary–Coronary Free LITA Grafts: 12–Year Patency. Journal of Cardiac

Surgery, 23(6), 722–724.

Omay, O., Ozker, E., Indelen, C., & Suzer, K. (2007, March). An alternative reinforced closure technique with external

Kirschner wires in sternal dehiscence. In The Heart Surgery Forum (Vol. 10, No. 3, pp. E193–E195).

İndelen, C. (2023). The Effectiveness of Tranexamic Acid Application Technique in Elective Coronary Artery Bypass

Surgery. Acta Medica Nicomedia, 6(1), 17–22.

İndelen, C., & Berki, K. (2020). The Effect of Losartan on Nitric Oxide Levels in Internal Thoracic Artery, Radial Artery

and Saphenous Vein Grafts in Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery. Kocaeli University Journal of Health Sciences, 6(3),

222–226.

İndelen, C. (2020). Saphenous vein graft preparation with conventional or Mayo vein stripper method: Which one is

better? Turkish Journal of Vascular Surgery, 29(1), 32–37.

Yılmaz, Ü., İndelen, C., Erden Güven, B., Taşpınar, Y., Ergenç, E., & Sunar, H. (2025). The effect of fat free mass index

and other predictive factors on the severity of patient prosthesis mismatch in patients with isolated mechanical aortic

valve replacement. Kastamonu Medical Journal, 5(1), 25–29.

Akbaş, H., Tekinalp, H., İndelen, C., Turgut, R. A., & Alp, M. A different aortotomy closure technique (Shawl

Aortoplasty) in a case of calcified bicuspid aortic stenosis and post-stenotic aortic dilatation.

Kızmaz, Y. U., Işık, M. E., & İndelen, C. (2022). Knowledge of Health Professionals on Blood Transfusion Practices,

Storage, Clinical Use and Reactions. Kafkas Journal of Medical Sciences, 12(3), 237–241.

Nadir Anatomik Varyasyonlarda Koroner Arter Bypass Cerrahisi, Chapter 6, pp. 54–58. In Vakalarla Kalp Damar

Cerrahisi (Kaygın, M. A., Ed.). (2020). DOI: 10.37609/akya.2084. Akademisyen Publishing House.

Infrapopliteal Artery Occlusive Disease Surgical Treatment Methods, in Peripheral Artery Atlas (Kaygın, M. A., Ed.).

(2022). DOI: 10.37609/akya.1903. Akademisyen Publishing House.

Education and Specialization

• 1989 - 1995 Ondokuz Mayıs University Faculty of Medicine
• Istanbul University, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine – Specialization
• 2006 - Associate Professorship, Başkent University Faculty of Medicine

Experience

• 1995 - 1996 - Assistant Doctor, Emergency Department, Ardahan State Hospital
• 1996 - 1997 - Atatürk University Faculty of Medicine
• 1997 - 2002 - Istanbul University, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Department of Cardiology
• 2002 - Istanbul University, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Department of Cardiology
• 2003 - 2007 - Başkent University Konya Research and Application Center
• 2007 - 2012 - Süleyman Demirel University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Cardiology
• 2012 - 2017 - Süleyman Demirel University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Cardiology
• 2013 - 2014 - Mayo Clinic Echocardiography Lab, Rochester, MN, USA
• 2017 - 2020 - ASV Yaşam Hospital
• 2020 - 2021 - Antalya Anadolu Hospital

Education and Specialization

• 1989 - 1995 Ondokuz Mayıs University Faculty of Medicine
• Istanbul University, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine – Specialization
• 2006 - Associate Professorship, Başkent University Faculty of Medicine

Experience

• 1995 - 1996 - Assistant Doctor, Emergency Department, Ardahan State Hospital
• 1996 - 1997 - Atatürk University Faculty of Medicine
• 1997 - 2002 - Istanbul University, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Department of Cardiology
• 2002 - Istanbul University, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Department of Cardiology
• 2003 - 2007 - Başkent University Konya Research and Application Center
• 2007 - 2012 - Süleyman Demirel University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Cardiology
• 2012 - 2017 - Süleyman Demirel University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Cardiology
• 2013 - 2014 - Mayo Clinic Echocardiography Lab, Rochester, MN, USA
• 2017 - 2020 - ASV Yaşam Hospital
• 2020 - 2021 - Antalya Anadolu Hospital

Duties:

1985 – 1986 Istanbul University Cardiology Institute, Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, General Practitioner

1986 – 1992, Istanbul University Cardiology Institute, Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Assistant Professor

1993-2012 Vehbi Koç Vakfı Amerikan Hastanesi (Hospital), Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Specialist Physician

2012-2017 İstanbul Medipol University, Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Assistant Professor

2017 – 2019 İstinye University LIV Hospital, Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Assoc. Prof.

2019 – 2024, Freelance Consultant Physician

2024 – Today, Istanbul Florence Nightingale Hospital, Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Assoc. Prof.

Memberships in Scientific Organizations:

• Turkish Society of Cardiovascular Surgery
• Turkish Society of Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery
• Turkish Society of Cardiology

Personal information

Title: Professor Doctor

Branch: Pulmonary Diseases

Work History:

1  Ilıca Health Center \ Health Center Physician (Compulsory Service)

2   Florence Nightingale Hospital

3   Onze Lieve Vrouw Clinic (OLV) Aalst Belgium

4   Istanbul Bilim University (Assistant Professor)

5   Florence Nightingale Hospital (Associate Professor)

6   Istanbul Bilim University (Professor)

Medical Specialties and Subspecialties:

1   Minimally invasive heart surgery

2   Aortic surgery

3   Cover Repairs

4   Arrhythmia Surgery

Special advanced health technologies:

1   Robotic heart surgery (Da Vinci Robotic System)

2   Port Access Surgery

Education

1991 - Selçuk University Faculty of Medicine

1998 - Istanbul University Cardiology Institute (Specialization)

Perform routine check ups on patients

Recommend patients to see a specialist

Provide quality healthcare to patients

Take part in further education opportunities

Treat patients in the office for minor injuries

Create a care plan for a patient

Qualifications for Doctor

Doctorate degree from an accredited medical school

Board certification and state license

Exceptional time management and attention to detail

Strong leadership skills

Great communication skills to talk with patients about treatment options

Ability to remain calm in stressful situations

Ability to evaluate data and information

Willingness to work long hours

Focused on customer service to create a great experience

Cardiovascular surgery

Cardiologist, Arrhythmologist