Get quotes from 3 top Valvuloplasty surgeons

Prof. Emin Tireli, MD, is a leading pediatric cardiovascular surgeon. He has performed over 6,329 congenital cardiac surgeries since 1993. He is known worldwide for being one of the first to use the complex Nikaidoh procedure for transposition of the great arteries (TGA).

Dr. Tireli performs more than 100 neonatal cardiac surgeries each year. His expertise includes arterial switch operations, total pulmonary return anomalies, pulmonary banding, and Norwood procedures. He has used hybrid techniques in 15 cases. Dr. Tireli has also completed 30 reconstructions of aortic anomalies and many PDA ligations in extremely low birth weight infants. His work greatly supports neonatal care.

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

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

Education and Specialization

• 1982 - 1987: Ege University Faculty of Medicine
• 1987 - 1993: İzmir Atatürk Training and Research Hospital – Specialization

Experience

• 1993 - 1996: İzmir Atatürk State Hospital – Specialist Doctor
• 1996 - 1998: İnönü University Faculty of Medicine – Assistant Professor
• 1998 - 2001: İnönü University Faculty of Medicine – Associate Professor
• 2001 - 2005: Başkent University Adana Practice and Research Hospital – Associate Professor
• 2006 - 2007: Başkent University Adana Practice and Research Hospital – Professor
• 2007 - 2013: Başkent University Istanbul Practice and Research Hospital – Professor
• 2013 - 2015: Hisar Intercontinental Hospital, Istanbul – Professor
• 2015 - Present: Acıbadem Bakırköy Hospital, Istanbul – Professor

Prof. Dr. Mert Yilmaz is a board-certified cardiovascular surgeon with more than 30 years of experience. He specializes in both adult and pediatric cardiac surgery. He graduated from Istanbul University in 1988. He completed his residency at Uludag University and received further training at the Royal South Hants Hospital in the UK.

Dr. Yilmaz was among the first in Turkey to perform endovascular repair of abdominal aneurysms. He completed the country’s second case. He has led cardiovascular surgery departments at leading hospitals. He now heads the department at Kadıköy Florence Nightingale Hospital. He is also a full professor at Halic University and an international member of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (USA).

Dr. Yilmaz has published over 50 peer-reviewed articles, including 7 first-in-literature reports. He holds accreditations from the European Association of Cardiothoracic Surgery.

• AREAS OF INTEREST
• Spine surgery
• Scoliosis
• Kyphosis
• Childhood spinal diseases
• Degenerative spine diseases
• Lumbar cervical disc herniation
• Knee hip joint disorders
• Orthopedic trauma surgery

• Education and Specialization
• 2010 - Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine - Medical Education
• 2016 - Medeniyet University Goztepe Training and Research Hospital - Specialization

• Experience
• 2016 - 2022 - Sisli Hamidiye Etfal Training and Research Hospital
• 2015 -2016 - Chicago Loyola University, Illinois, USA

• Courses and Certificates
• 13.12.2019-14.12.2019 Turkish Spine Society Eurospine Accredited Education Modules
• 08.11.2019-10.11.2019 Turkish Spine Society Eurospine Accredited Education Modules
• 31.08.2015-04.09.2015 Basic Microsurgery Course, MICROSURGERY EDUCATION-RESEARCH LABORATORY
• AO Trauma Course-Basic Principles of Fracture Management
• 07.06.2014-10.06.2014 Fracture Management, Kodi Kojima Chairperson AOTrauma Education Commission
• 01.03.2013-02.03.2013 Instrumentation in Arthroscopic Surgery

• Professional Memberships
• Turkish Orthopedics and Traumatology Association (TOTBİD)
• Turkish Medical Association - Istanbul Medical Chamber

Specialization: Prosthetic Dental Treatment

Areas of Interest

-Digital Dentistry

-Oral Implantology

-Zirconium Coating

-CAD-CAM Restorations

-Ceramic Applications

Education

2012 – DDS, Yeditepe University Faculty of Dentistry

2017 – Ph.D., Prosthetic Dentistry, Hacettepe University

Professional Experience

2013 to 2017 – Research Assistant, Department of Prosthodontics, Hacettepe University

2018 to 2022 – Lecturer, Faculty of Dentistry, Biruni University

Courses & Certifications

Trainer’s Training Certificate – Biruni University

Scientific Meeting – ITI Türkiye & Azerbaijan Department (2020)

Biostatistics Methods Certificate – Biruni University

Professional Memberships

-Turkish Dental Association (TDB)

-European Association for Osseointegration (EAO)

-International Team for Implantology (ITI)

-Turkish Prosthodontics and Implantology Association (TPID)

Selected Research & Publications

Fracture resistance of single-unit implant-supported crowns: Effect of prosthetic design and restorative material. Journal of Prosthodontics, 2021.

Effect of printing orientation on fracture strength of 3-unit interim fixed prostheses after aging. Journal of Dentistry, 2022.

Effect of surface characterization on cell proliferation after laser coating of titanium alloy surfaces. Surface & Coatings Technology, 2021.

Professional Experience

• 1999-2000: Şırnak Military Hospital, Military Service
• 2001-2007: Süreyyapaşa Chest, Heart, and Vascular Diseases Hospital, Cardiovascular Surgery Clinic
  • Contributed to the establishment of the Cardiovascular Surgery Clinic
  • 2005: Awarded the title of Associate Professor in Cardiovascular Surgery
• 2007-2009: Kartal Koşuyolu High Specialization Training and Research Hospital
• 2009-2011: Kartal Koşuyolu High Specialization Training and Research Hospital, Cardiovascular Surgery Clinic, Assistant Chief
• 2011-2017: Kartal Koşuyolu High Specialization Training and Research Hospital, Cardiovascular Surgery Clinic, Instructor
• 2016-2017: Kartal Koşuyolu High Specialization Training and Research Hospital, Cardiovascular Surgery Clinic, Education Officer
• 2017-2024: Bezmialem Vakıf University, Faculty of Medicine, Professor
  • Head of Cardiovascular Surgery Department, Bezmialem Vakıf University, Faculty of Medicine
• Since July 2024: Medipol Acıbadem District l Hospital, Cardiovascular Surgeon

Experience

• 2022 
• Medipol Bahçelievler Hospital  
•  
• 2017 - 2022

Acıbadem International Hospital

•  
• 2017 - 2017

Istanbul Aydin University Florya Hospital

•  
• 2013 - 2017

Acıbadem Health Group

• 2009 - 2013

Medical Park Bahçelievler Hospital

• 2002 - 2009

Medical Park Fatih Hospital

• 2001 - 2002

Istanbul Memorial Şişli Hospital

• 2009

Dicle University

Education 

-   2001

I.U. Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Cardiovascular Surgery

-   1994

I.U. Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine

Education

Major degree in Medicine and Surgery (MBBS) Medical School University of Perugia, Italy. (2000-2006)

Internship at the Department of Cardiac Surgery, “S. Maria della Misericordia” University Hospital, Perugia, Italy. (2005 – 2006)

Clinical registration for Medicine and Surgery, “S. Maria della Misericordia” University Hospital, Perugia, Italy. (2006 – 2007)

Completion of the Italian Board Exams for the Medical and Surgical profession (Esame di Stato). Marks 262.5 / 270. Medical School University of Perugia, Italy. (June 2007)

Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) in Cardiac Surgery. Marks 50/50. Thesis: “Trans-catheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) – A single centre experience”. Department of Cardio-thoracic Surgery “San Matteo” University Hospital, Pavia, Italy. (July 2014)

Training and Professional Experience

Junior Clinical Fellow in Cardiac Surgery, Department of Cardiac Surgery, “S. Maria della Misericordia” University Hospital, Perugia, Italy. (2007 – 2008)

Clinical Fellow in Cardiac Surgery, Department of Cardiac Surgery, “S. Maria della Misericordia” University Hospital, Perugia, Italy. (2008 – 2009)

Resident in Cardiac Surgery (CTh), Department of Cardio-thoracic Surgery, “San Matteo” University Hospital, Pavia, Italy. (2009 – 2014)

Cardiac Surgery Trainees Representative and Member of the Board of the School of Cardiac Surgery. “San Matteo” University Hospital, Pavia, Italy. (2011 – 2014)

Fellowship in Heart Transplant, Department of Cardio-thoracic Surgery “San Matteo” University Hospital, Pavia, Italy. (2011 – 2012)

Fellowship in Trans-catheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI), Department of Cardio-thoracic Surgery “San Matteo” University Hospital, Pavia, Italy. (2013 – 2014)

Chief Resident in Cardiac Surgery, Department of Cardio-thoracic Surgery, “San Matteo” University Hospital, Pavia, Italy. (2013 – 2014)

Fellowship in Adult Cardiac Surgery, Department of Cardio-thoracic Surgery, St. Georges University Hospital, London, UK. (2014 – 2015)

Senior Specialty doctor in Cardiac Surgery, Department of Cardio-thoracic Surgery, Hull and East Yorkshire University Hospital, Hull, UK. (2015 – 2022)

Lead of Trust Appointed Doctors to the SCTS for the Cardio-thoracic Unit, Department of Cardio-thoracic Surgery, Hull and East Yorkshire University Hospital, Hull, UK. (2020 – 2022)

Director of the Cardiac Surgery Unit, German Medical Institute, Limassol, Cyprus. (2022 – present)

Scientific Activity

MD: Thesis: “The importance of the surgical timing on post-operative outcome in patients with acute endocarditis of native valve”. Medical School University of Perugia, Italy. (April 2005 – December 2006)

Collaborator at the multi-centre National project “Effects of Covid-19 Pandemic on the Provision of Cardiac Surgery in the UK”. Department of Cardio-thoracic Surgery, Hull and East Yorkshire University Hospital, Hull, UK. (2020 – 2022)

Co-investigator at the COMICs multi-centre International Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT) comparing Mini-Bypass (MIECC) with conventional bypass. Department of Cardio-thoracic Surgery, Hull and East Yorkshire University Hospital, Hull, UK. (2018 – 2022)

Co-investigator at the ROUTE multi-centre international registry, aimed to analyse the effectiveness and safety of Transaortic (TAo)-TAVI as a first line approach and to compare it to patients receiving TAo-TAVI as a last resort, which is current practice. Department of Cardio-thoracic Surgery, “San Matteo” University Hospital, Pavia, Italy. (2013 – 2014)

Special Interest

Myocardial revascularisation (coronary by-pass surgery with MIECC)

Aortic surgery (thoracic aorta aneurysm repair)

Aortic valve replacement or repair (minimal invasive, TAVI)

Mitral valve surgery (replacement or repair)

Heart transplant

Memberships

Founder member of the Cypriot Society of Cardiothoracic surgeons (CSCTS)  founded in 2023.

Member of the European Association for Cardiothoracic Surgery (EACTS)

Member of the Society for Cardiothoracic Surgery (SCTS) in Great Britain and Ireland

Registration at the Cypriot Ministry of Health as Specialist in Cardiac Surgery (2016)

GMC-UK Specialist Register: Cardiothoracic Surgery (2014)

Italian Medical Council (Ordine dei Medici-Chirurghi): Full Registration with Licence to practise (2008 – 2014)

Dr. Sertac Cicek is a renowned cardiovascular surgeon with over 40 years of medical experience. He has spent more than 30 years specializing in cardiac surgery, focusing on complex congenital and pediatric heart procedures. He trained at leading centers worldwide and completed fellowships at Texas Heart Institute, Mayo Clinic, and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. This combination of fellowships is rare in the field.

Dr. Cicek is the Chief of Pediatric and Adult Cardiovascular Surgery at Liv Hospital Vadistanbul. He leads advanced surgical programs and performs specialized operations, including Ozaki aortic valve reconstructions, Ebstein anomaly repairs, and minimally invasive heart surgeries. He is also a pioneer in hybrid coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

Dr. Cicek holds ECFMG certification and active medical licenses in Turkey, Minnesota, and West Virginia. He has received several awards, such as the GATA 100th Anniversary Scientific Achievement Award and a Presidential Citation from the Asian Society for Cardiovascular Surgery. He is a founding member of the World Society for Pediatric and Congenital Heart Surgery and has been listed in Who’s Who in Medicine & Healthcare for 20 years.

Experiences

Istanbul University, Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine 2007-2013

Ondokuz Mayis University, Faculty of Medicine 2014-2022

Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Cardiology Institute 2022

Schools / Trainings

Trakya University, Faculty of Medicine, L11an1 2001-2007

Istanbul University, Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine, Specialization 2007-2013

Aortic Dilation (Aneurysm)

Heart Valve Problems

Aortic Dissection

Coronary Artery Disease

Carotid Artery Occlusion (Carotid Stenosis)

Varicose Veins

Peripheral Vascular Disease

Aortic Insufficiency

Aortic Valve Diseases

Mitral Insufficiency

Mitral Valve Problem

Mitral Stenosis

Varicose Ulcer

Diabetic Foot

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

Raynaud's Disease

Rheumatic Heart Disease

Ischemic Heart Disease

Heart Pain

Leg Artery Occlusion

Capillary Rupture

Heart Failure

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

Aortic Arch Aneurysm

Ascending Aortic Aneurysm

Thoracoabdominal Aortic Aneurysm

Carotid

In 2007, I graduated from Trakya University, Faculty of Medicine and received the title of “Medical Doctor”. In the same year, as a result of the TUS exam I took, I started my specialization training at Istanbul University, Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine, Department of Cardiovascular Surgery.

During my specialization training, in 2010, I worked as a guest doctor at “Lenox Hill Hospital, Aortic Wellness Center” in New York, USA, on aortic valve-preserving surgery, aortic root surgery, aortic arch surgery, thoracoabdominal aortic surgery and robotic heart surgery.

In 2013, I worked as a “fellow” at the “Landeskrankenhaus Salzburg, Paracelsus Universitätsklinik für Gefäßchirurgie und endovaskuläre Chirurgie” clinic in Salzburg, Austria, and conducted studies on endovascular and advanced vascular surgery techniques.

In 2013, I worked as a visiting physician at the “Vita-Salute University, Scientific Institute, Ospedale San Raffaele, dipartimento di chirurgia vascolare ed endovascolare” clinic in Milan, Italy, on endovascular techniques, advanced vascular techniques and surgical treatment of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms.

In 2013, I completed my assistant training and earned the title of “Cardiovascular Surgery Specialist”.

As of 2014, I started working as a “Specialist Doctor” at the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Ondokuz Mayıs University.

In 2016, I received the title of “Assistant Professor Doctor”. In the same year, I received the “Certificate of Proficiency” issued by the “Turkish Cardiovascular Surgery Qualification Board”.

In 2017, I worked as a visiting doctor for 3 months at the “Landeskrankenhaus Nürnberg, Paracelsus Universitätsklinik für Gefäßchirurgie und endovaskuläre Chirurgie” clinic in Nuremberg, Germany, on advanced endovascular (FEVAR, BEVAR, CHEVAR, EVAR, TEVAR) techniques in aortic diseases.

I received the title of “Associate Professor” in 2019. I am fluent in English.

I have been working at Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, Cardiology Institute, Department of Cardiovascular Surgery since 2022

Education:

• Higher Education (6 Years): Marmara University Faculty of Medicine, 2001
• Specialization in Medicine: Istanbul University Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, 2007
   

Experience:

• Faculty of Medicine, University of Rostock, Department of Cardiac Surgery - Research Assistant, August 2007 - August 2008
• King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, King Faisal Heart Institute - Fellow, August 2008 - October 2008
• Private Göztepe Şafak Hospital, October 2008 - April 2009
• Private Esnaf Hospital, May 2009 - March 2010
• Düzce Atatürk State Hospital, March 2010 - September 2011
• Private Anadolu Medical Center Hospital, October 2011 - June 2013
• Istanbul University Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, July 2013 - December 2018
• Istanbul Medipol University Faculty of Medicine, January 2019 - April 2023
• Biruni University Faculty of Medicine, April 2023 - Present
•  
• Professor: December 18, 2020
• Associate Professor: April 16, 2015-December 18, 2020
• Specialist Doctor: November 2009- April 16, 2015
• Research assistant: June 2002 - July 2007
• Faculty of Medicine: Marmara University - English (1995-2001)[Diploma Grade: 75/100] - Listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools.

Awards:

Second best oral presentation award: Didem Melis Öztaş, Mert Meriç, Metin Onur Beyaz, Mehmet Akif Onalan, Shiraslan Bakhshaliyev, Kıvılcım Sönmez, Kerem Oter, Sedat Ziyade, Beyhan Ömer, Ufuk Alpagut, Murat Uğurlucan. Investigation of the Effect of Erythropoietin on Stem Cell Levels in Cardiovascular Tissue in Diabetic Rats. 19th National Vascular and Endovascular Surgery Congress, Kyrenia, Cyprus, October 26-29, 2019.

The prof. Giuseppe Speziale holds the positions of the National Coordinator of Cardiac Surgery of GVM Care & Research, the Director of the Department of Cardiac Surgery at Anthea Hospital and Città di Lecce Hospital, and Director of the Department of Cardiac Surgery of the Santa Maria Hospital. He works at the Cardiological Clinical Institute (ICC) and San Carlo di Nancy Hospital in Rome. Since 2011 he has also held the position of Vice President of GVM Care & Research. In 2012 he occupied the charge of President of Confindustria Puglia, Health Section, and since 2018 he is Vice President of Aiop Puglia (Italian association of private hospitals). The prof. Speziale is a cardiac surgeon specializing in the minimally invasive surgical treatment of valve diseases, expert in minimally invasive repair of the mitral valve, in On and Off Pump myocardial revascularization, in thoracic aortic surgery. He is Co - Founder and President of the Scientific Committee of Mitral Academy, an independent association born from the passion for mitral surgery and the desire to pursue and share excellence in restorative surgery, with particular attention to minimally invasive techniques and the evaluation of potential therapeutic treatments deriving from the use of new technologies. Until 2016 he was elected Director of the Italian Society of Cardiac Surgery. He is part of the following associations: AATS (American Association for Thoracic Surgery), Italian Society of Cardiology Accredited Hospital, SICOA (active member), ISMICS (International Society for Minimally Invasive Cardiothoracic Surgery). Since 2004 he has held the position of Scientific Director of the Italian Cardiopathic Association onlus.

In the field of scientific research, he focuses on new approaches, applicable in the field of minimally invasive and non-invasive mitral, aortic, cardiac arrhythmias and tricuspid surgery. He was the coordinator and researcher of the various projects of the National Research Council on Myocardial Infarction, on the treatment of pulmonary hypertension, on new technologies for carrying out coronary, cardiopulmonary and normothermic bypass. He was an adjunct professor at the Sapienza University of Rome where he held the Chair of Cardiology II, and at the University of Ferrara, where he teaches Cardiac Surgery. He has presented numerous scientific papers at national and international congresses of cardiology and cardiac surgery.

Bibliography: He is co-author of 6 books known nationally and internationally. The most recent one is Advances in Treatments for Aortic Valve and Root Diseases, publisher Springer International Publishing, 2018.

He is Reviewer and author of over 90 publications of multiple journals, such as Seminars in Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Journal of Geriatric Cardiology, Heart & Lung: The Journal of Cardiopulmonary and Acute Care, European Journal of Cardiothoracic Surgery, The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Journal on Cardiac, Vascular and Thoracic Surgery etc.

Awards: “Top Doctors Awards”, 2021

Prof. Dr. Deniz Süha Küçükaksu is a cardiovascular surgeon with over 35 years of experience. He specializes in adult and pediatric cardiac surgery, heart transplantation, and mechanical circulatory support. He leads the Heart Transplantation and Artificial Heart Center at Başkent University Istanbul Hospital.

Dr. Küçükaksu completed his medical and surgical training in Turkey. He also received advanced fellowships in Germany, France, and the United States. His focus has been on LVAD systems and heart failure surgery.

He introduced mechanical circulatory support and artificial heart programs in Turkey. He has performed many types of surgeries, including coronary bypass (off-pump), valve replacements, aortic repair (EVAR/TEVAR), and reoperations. He has also established heart transplant centers at several institutions.

Dr. Küçükaksu has held senior academic and administrative roles. He has contributed to total artificial heart surgery and hybrid cardiovascular procedures. He has received national and international awards for his scientific and surgical work.

Dr. Ismail Oral Hastaoglu graduated from Cumhuriyet University Faculty of Medicine in 1998. He completed his specialization at Siyami Ersek Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery Center in 2005. He is a member of several professional organizations, including EACTS, ESVS, UVCD, the Phlebology Association, and TKDCD.

Dr. Hastaoglu specializes in coronary bypass surgery, heart valve surgery, congenital heart diseases, heart tumors, and aneurysm treatments. He also has experience in carotid artery operations, aortic aneurysm repair, peripheral artery disease management, and AV fistula procedures. He has made important contributions to cardiovascular surgery.