Best Pediatric Aortic Valve Replacement cardiac surgeons: TOP 13 doctors

Prof. Mert Yılmaz, MD. MS

Adult and Pediatric Cardiovascular Surgeon

International member of Society of Thoracic Surgeons USA

Prof. Mert YILMAZ was graduated from Istanbul University Istanbul Medical Faculty in 1988. He started his residency program at the Uludag University, Department of Cardiovascular Surgery in 1990. During his residency training in the Uludag University, he also spent a year as a visiting resident in Royal South Hants Hospital in England. Afterword, he started to work as a chief resident in the Uludag University until the end of his specialty program. He became board certified Cardiovascular surgeon in 1995. He started to work in Florence Nightingale Hospital in Istanbul as a staff Cardiovascular surgeon in 1996. In year 2000, He actively particapated in the Cardiac Surgery program and performed multiple interventions including cardiac transplantation, minimal invasive cardiac surgery and endovascular surgery in OLV Aalst Hospital in Belgium. In 2001, He came back to Florence Nightingale Hospital, He was one of the pioneers in endovascular repairement of abdominal aneurysm surgeries as he performed the second case in Turkey in the Gayrettepe Florence Nightingale Hospital in 2003.

In 2004, he returned to academia as an assistant professor in the Uludag University and he worked on both Adult and Pediatric Cardiac Surgeries between, 2004 and 2008. He also took part in establishment of Medicana International Hospital in Istanbul in 2009 and. He worked as a associate Director of the department more than one year in this hospital. Between 2010-2014, he was the Director of the Deparment of Cardiovascular Surgery in Medicalpark Hospital Bursa and Turkish Private Hospital in Erbil. Since 2014, he is the Director of the Deparment of Cardiovascular Surgery in Kadıköy Florence Nightingale Hospital in Istanbul.  His special interests are minimal invasive Cardiac surgery (small insicion) and Pediatric Cardiac surgery.  As an academician, Professor Yilmaz published over than 50 international and national manuscripts and 7 of them were tittiled as the first report in the world medical literature. He speaks and writes English fluently.



CURRENT POSITION

2014- present: Head of the Dept of Cardiovascular Surgery Kadıköy Florence Nightingale Hospital/Istanbul

2020- present Full Professor at Halic University Istanbul

EDUCATION

1982-1988: Istanbul University, Istanbul Medical Faculty, Istanbul, Turkey, (MD) 

1990-1994:Uludağ University, Faculty of Medicine, Bursa Dept. of Cardiovascular Surgery (Resident)

1994: Royal South Hants Hospital, NHS, Southampton UK, (Registrar)

1995-1996: Uludağ University, Faculty of Medicine, Bursa Dept. of Cardiovascular Surgery (Chief Resident)

DEGREES

PREVIOUS POSITIONS AND EMPLOYMENT

1996-2000: Cardiovascular Surgeon, Florence Nightingale Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey 

2000: Visiting Clinical Fellow, OLV Hospital Aalst, Brussels, Belgium

2001-2004: Cardiovascular Surgeon, Florence Nightingale Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey

2004-2007: Clinical Fellow/Research Associate, Dept. of Cardiovascular Surgery Uludag University, Bursa, Turkey, 

2007- 2008: Assoc. Professor  Dept. of Cardiovascular Surgery Uludag University, Bursa, Turkey

2008-2009: Consultant Cardiovascular Surgeon, Dept. of Cardiovascular Surgery Medicana International Istanbul, Turkey 

2009-2010: Head of the Dept. of Cardiovascular Surgery Universal Hospital Çamlıca, Istanbul, Turkey,

2010-2012 : Head of the Dept of Cardiovascular Surgery Medicalpark Bursa Hospital, Bursa

2012-2014 : Head of the Dept of Cardiovascular Surgery Turkish Private Hospital, Erbil

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES

MEMBERSHIPS

Society of  Thoracic Surgeons (USA)

European Society for Vascular Surgery 

Turkish society of Cardiovascular Surgery

European Association of Cardiothoracic Surgery

CTS net

JOURNAL REVIEWS

European Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery

Turkish Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 

PUBLICATIONS

A. PEER-REVIEWED SCI and SCI-E PUBLICATIONS

A1. Ener, S., Yılmaz, M., Atasoy, S., Ozkan, H., Cengiz, M. “Superior-septal Approach for Mitral Valve Surgery’’ Archives of the Turkish Society of Cardiology 23: 267-270 (1995)

A2. Senkaya, I, Yilmaz, M., Güven H, Ozer HZ, Özkan, H.

Chylothorax: After Blunt Chest Trauma Turk Gogus Kalp Dama 1995;3:194-196

A3. Ener,S., Yilmaz,M., Eken., Karadag, M., Cengiz, M. Sleeve Lobectomy and Bronchovascular Reconstruction for Lung Cancer. Turk Gogus Kalp Dama 1995;3:266-269

A4. Akpinar, B, Polat, B., Sanisoğlu, I., Yilmaz, M., Cakalı, E., Bayındır, O., Sonmez, B.

Pulmonary Valve Replacemet: Report of two cases. Turk Gogus Kalp Dama 1997;5:135-139

A5. Gebitekin, C., Yilmaz, M., Şenkaya, I., Sagdıc, K., Saba, D., Ozer, Z. G. “Fatal Haemoptysis due to Pulmonary artery aneurysm in Behçet’s Disease”  European Journal of  Vascular and  Endovascular Surgery 13(2): 233-6 (1997)

A6. Şenkaya, I., Sağdıç,  K., Gebitekin, C., Yilmaz, M., Özkan, H., Cengiz, M. “Management of foreign body aspiration in infancy and childhood. A life-threatening problem” Turkish Journal of  Pediatrics 39 (3): 353-62 (1997)

A7. Polat, B., Yılmaz, M., Akpinar, B., Aytekin, V., Bayındır, O., Sonmez, B. “Revascularization of the Circumflex Artery Using Pedicled Right Internal Mammary Artery Graft Via The Transverse Sinus” Archives of the Turkish Society of Cardiology 26: 275-78 (1998)

A8. Yilmaz, M., Ener, S., Akalın, H., Sagdıc, K., Serdar, A., Cengiz, M. “Effect of Low dose Methylprednisolone on serum Cytokine levels following Extracorporeal Circulation” Perfusion UK 14: 201-206 (1999)

A9. Us, M.H., İnan, K., Özkan, S.,Yılmaz, M., Çakır, O., Duran, E.,  Öztürk, Ö.Y. “Koroner baypass operasyonları sonrasında serum laktat düzeylerinin izlenmesinin mortaliteye etkisi”

Archives of the Turkish Society of Cardiology 4:110-113 (2001)

A10. Polat, B., Yalcin, Y., Korkut, K., Karaci, A., Korkmaz A.A., Yılmaz,  M., Sorgun, F., Bayindir, O. “Arterial Switch Operation in Transposition of the Great Arteries (Jatene prosedure)” Archives of the Turkish Society of Cardiology 29: 549-556 (2001)

A11. Us, M., Sungun, M., Cağli, K., Yilmaz, M., Pekediz, A., Oztürk, O.  “Single clamp technique in elderly patients undergoing coronary artery surgery”  Anadolu Kardiyol  Derg 4:291-295 (2003)

A12. Yilmaz, M. “Total aortic arch replacement” Annals of Thoracic Surgery 79:1092 (2005)

A13. Ener, S., Yilmaz, M. “The effect of single low-dose methylprednisolone on the cardiopulmonary bypass-induced inflammatory response” European Journal of Cardio-thoracic Surgery 27: 729-730 (2005)

A14. Yilmaz, M., Gurbuz, O., Cengiz, M. “Multicentric cardiac myxoma treated with extended surgery” The Journal of International Medical Research 34: 331 – 334 (2006)

A15. Yilmaz, M., Şenkaya, I., Cengiz, M. “Direct Reimplantation  Technique via Right Minithoracotomy for   Scimitar Syndrome: A Case Report” The Heart Surgery Forum 9 (6):E843-E845 (2006)

A16. Yilmaz, M., Polat, B., Saba, D. “Single-stage repair of adult aortic coarctation and concomitant cardiovascular pathologies: a new alternative surgical approach”
Journal of Cardiothoracic Surgery 1:18 (2006)

A17. Yilmaz, M., Şenkaya, I., Saba, D., Biçer, M. “Long-term outcomes of basilic vein transposition fistula for hemodialysis” VASA 36:26-32 (2007)

A18. Yilmaz, M., Şenkaya, I., Kaderli, A., Ener, S. “Complete Atrioventricular Block due to a Hydatid Cyst located in the Interventricular Septum” The Heart Surgery Forum. 10 (1):E9-E11 (2007)

A19.  Saba, D., Yilmaz, M., Yavuz, H., Noyan, S., Avci, B., Ercan, A.K., Ozkan, H., Cengiz, M. “Sutureless vascular anastomoses by  N-butyl-2 Cyanoacrylate adhesive: an experimental animal study” European Surgical Research. 39:239-244  (2007)

A20. Yilmaz, M., Tok, M., Cengiz, M. “Asymptomatic Balanced-Type Double Aortic Arch in an Elderly Patient: A Case Report” The Heart Surgery Forum. 10 (4):E297-E298 (2007)

A21. Yilmaz, M., Saba, D., Karal, I., Ercan, I.,  Kumtepe, G., Gurbuz, O., Şenkaya, I., Cengiz, M. “Postoperative Outcomes after Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting in EuroSCORE Low- and High-Risk Women” The Heart Surgery Forum. 10 (6):E482-E486 (2007)

A22. Basagan-Mogol, E., Turker, G., Yilmaz, M., Goren, S. “Combination of a Psoas Compartment, Sciatic Nerve, and T12-L1 Paravertebral Blocks for Femoropopliteal Bypass Surgery in a High-Risk Patient”Journal of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesia, 22 (2): 337-339 ( 2008)

A23. Yavascaoglu, I., Yilmaz, M., Kordan Y. “Cardiac and Caval Invasion of Left Adrenocortical Carcinoma: Report of a Case” Urologia Internationalis. 81(2): 244–246 (2008) 

B.PEER-REVIEWED INTERNATIONAL  ABSTRACTS AND PRESENTATIONS 

B1. Ozer, Z.G., Şenkaya, I., Yilmaz, M. “Iatrogenic vascular injuries during lumbar disc surgery” The Romanian Society of Angiology and Vascular Surgery Inaugural Meeting of the Balkan Society of Angiology Romania, 1992

 B2. Polat, B., Akpinar, B., Sonmez, B., Aytekin, V., Demiroglu, C., Yilmaz, M., Akar, H. “Revascularization of the circumflex artery using pedicled right internal mammary artery graft via the transverse sinus” First International Congress on Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery, Rawalpindi, Pakistan, 1996.

B3. Yilmaz, M., Ener, S., Akalın, H., Sagdıc, K., Serdar, A., Cengiz, M. “Low dose Methylprednisolone reduces serum cytokine elevation induced by extracorporeal circulation”

XVI th Annual San Diego Cardiothoracic Surgery Symposium San Diego, USA, 1996

B4. Polat, B., Yalcin, Y., Karaci, A., Yilmaz, M., Sorgun, F., Bayindir, O. “Arterial Switch operation ( Jatene precedure) for Transposition of  the Great Arteries: Experience at Florence Nightingale Hospital” VI. BALKAN Pediatric cardiology and Cardiac Surgery Congress

Antalya, Turkey, 1998

B5. Yalcin, Y., Polat, B., Karaci, A., Yilmaz,  M., Sorgun, F., Bayindir, O. “Partial Biventricular Repair: An alternative option to Total Cavopulmonary Anastomosis for Functionally Borderline Right Ventricules in Complex Congenital Heart Defects” VI. BALKAN Pediatric cardiology and Cardiac Surgery Congress Antalya, Turkey, 1998

B6. Duran, E., Us, M., Sungun, M., Inan, K., Tarhan, A., Yilmaz, M., Baltalarli, A., Sunar, H., Ege, T., Cebeci, B,S., Ozturk, O. “ Mitral valve operations by right minithoracotomy”  Mediterranean Association of Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery 11th Annual Meeting, Montpellier, France, 1998

B7. Us, M.H., Yilmaz, M., Ozturk, O.Y. “Early and mid term results of the aortic annular enlargement with modified manouguian procedure” 52. International Congress of the European Society for Cardiovascular Surgery Istanbul, Turkey, 2003 

B8. Us, M.H., Sungun, M., Cagli, K., Yilmaz, M., Pakediz, A., Ozturk, O.Y. “The advantages of single clamp techniques in patients over 70 years old”  52. International Congress of the European Society for Cardiovascular Surgery Istanbul, Turkey, 2003

B9. Yilmaz, M., Saba, D., Karal, I., Ercan, I., Kumtepe, G., Gurbuz, O., Şenkaya, I., Cengiz, M. “Postoperative Outcomes after Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting in EuroSCORE Low- and High-Risk Women” Third Annual Congress on Update in Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery Antalya Turkey, 2007 The Heart Surgery Forum. 10, Supp 1 (2007)

B10.Yilmaz, M., Şenkaya, I., Tok, M., Saba, D., Cengiz, M. “Direct Reimplantation  Technique via Right Minithoracotomy for   Scimitar Syndrome: A Case Report” Third Annual Congress on Update in Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery Antalya Turkey, 2007 The Heart Surgery Forum. 10, Supp 1 (2007)

B11. Yilmaz, M., Polat, B., Saba, D. “Single-stage repair of adult aortic coarctation and concomitant cardiovascular pathologies: a new alternative surgical approach”
Third Annual Congress on Update in Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery Antalya Turkey, 2007 The Heart Surgery Forum. 10, Supp 1 (2007)

B12.Yilmaz, M., Şenkaya, I., Tok, M., Saba, D., Cengiz, M. “Complete Atrioventricular Block due to a Hydatid Cyst located in the Interventricular Septum” Third Annual Congress on Update in Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery Antalya Turkey, 2007 The Heart Surgery Forum. 10, Supp 1 (2007)

B13. Yilmaz, M., Tok, M., Cengiz, M. “Asymptomatic Balanced-Type Double Aortic Arch in an Elderly Patient: A Case Report” Third Annual Congress on Update in Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery Antalya Turkey, 2007 The Heart Surgery Forum. 10, Supp 1 (2007)

B14. Tok, M., Erdoğan, C., Yilmaz, M., Bicer, M.,Kumtepe, G., Ozkan, H., Cengiz, M. “ Endovascular approach for Kommerell Diverticule. Hybrid Teqhnique” Third Annual Congress on Update in Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery Antalya Turkey, 2007 The Heart Surgery Forum. 10, Supp 1 (2007)

B15. Mogol, E.B., Turker , G., Yilmaz, M., Goren, S. “Combination of a Psoas Compartment, Sciatic Nerve, and T12-L1 Paravertebral Blocks for Femoropopliteal Bypass Surgery in a High-Risk Patient” 22nd Annual meeting European Association of  Cardiothoracic Anaesthesiologist Krakow, Poland, 2007 European Journal of Anesthesiology. 24, Supp 41 (2007) 

B16. Yaman R, Es MU, Karaci AR, Ozkara C, Yilmaz M.  “Jackson Pratt Drain Decreases the Risk of Pericardial Effusion and Atrial Fibrilattion in Patients With Scheduled Coronary Bypass Operations “7th Congress of Update in Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery in association with TCT Mediterranean - March 2011  Antalya Turkey, 2011 The Heart Surgery Forum. 14, Supp 1 (2011)

B17. Yaman R, Uyanik, Eyuboglu N, Es MU, Alpsoy S , Yilmaz M. “Routine Preoperative Use Of Enoxaparin Does Not Increase Bleeding Nor Transfusion In Scheduled Coronary Bypass Surgery”  7th Congress of Update in Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery in association with TCT Mediterranean - March 2011  Antalya Turkey, 2011 The Heart Surgery Forum. 14, Supp 1 (2011)

B18. Yaman R, Uyanik, Eyuboglu N, Es MU, Alpsoy S , Yilmaz M. “Bilateral Carotid Endarterectomy and Coronary Bypass: Staged Approach”  7th Congress of Update in Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery in association with TCT Mediterranean - March 2011  Antalya Turkey, 2011 The Heart Surgery Forum. 14, Supp 1 (2011)

B19. Yaman R, Uyanik, Eyuboglu N, Es MU, Alpsoy S , Yilmaz M. “Thoracic Hernia Mimicking Acute Coronary Syndrome” 7th Congress of Update in Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery in association with TCT Mediterranean - March 2011  Antalya Turkey, 2011 The Heart Surgery Forum. 14, Supp 1 (2011)

B20. Yaman R, Uyanik, Eyuboglu N, Es MU, Alpsoy S , Yilmaz M. “The Determination of Operative Strategy in Reconstructive Surgery of  Failed Fistulas by Usage of Multidetector Row Computed Tomography Venography” 7th Congress of Update in Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery in association with TCT Mediterranean - March 2011  Antalya Turkey, 2011 The Heart Surgery Forum. 14, Supp 1 (2011)

B21. Yaman R, Uyanik, Eyuboglu N, Es MU, Alpsoy S , Yilmaz M. “The Use Of Linezolid in Mediastinitis Therapy” 7th Congress of Update in Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery in association with TCT Mediterranean - March 2011  Antalya Turkey, 2011 The Heart Surgery Forum. 14, Supp 1 (2011)

Medical Interests

Complex congenital & pediatric Cardiac Surgery 

Neonatal Cardiac Surgery 

Cardiac Reoperation 

Valve sparing aortic root replacement 

Complex mitral repairs 

Complex aortic Repairs 

Ozaki aortic repairs 

Ebstein & Triscupid valve repairs 

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Surgery 

Minimally Invasive Heart Surgery 

Arterial and Hybrid CABG

Education 

Chief of Department - Liv Hospital Vadistanbul Pediatric and Adult Cardiovascular Surgery Present Academic Rank and Position 

Ankara University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey - Medical School 09/1979 -09/1983 

GATA Gülhane Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Ankara, Turkey - MD 09/1983 -09/1985 

GATA Gülhane Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey - Internship, General Surgery and Medicine 1985 - 1986 

GATA and TYIH, Ankara, Turkey - Resident, Cardiovascular Surgery 1988 - 1993 

Texas Heart Institute, Houston, Texas - Fellow, Cardiovascular Surgery 02/1995 -07/1995 

Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota - Fellow, Cardiovascular Surgery and Cardiopulmonary Transplantation 1995-1997 

USC Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California - Fellow, Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery and Transplantation 1997-1998 

Certification 

Board Certifications 

Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) ECFMG Certificate (Valid indefinitely) 1988 - Present 

Ministry of Health, Turkey 

Cardiovascular Surgery 1993 

Pediatric Cardiovascular Surgery (PCVS) 2011 

Licensure 

Turkey (Medical) 06/1985- Present 

Minnesota 1002 (Medical) 02/2017 – Present 

WV Medical 05/2020 – Present 

Honors and Awards 

Summa Cum Laude - GATA Gülhane Faculty of Medicine 1985 

Graduated Summa Cum Laude - Gülhane Military Medical Academy Medical Corps Officer Training School 1986 

GATA 100th Anniversary Scientific and Academic Achievement Award - GATA Gülhane Faculty of Medicine 1996 

Sandoz Scientific Research Award 1996 

Listed in "Who is Who in Medicine and Healthcare" - Mariuis Who's Who 2000 - 2020 

Presidential Citation - Asian Society for Cardiovascular Surgery 2004 

Gordon K.Danielson Visiting Professor - Mayo Clinic Rochester Hospitals, Mayo Clinic 2013 - Present 

Memberships 

American Association for Thoracic Surgery Member 2009 - Present 

American College of Cardiology Fellow 2000 - Present 

American College of Chest Physicians Fellow 2000 - Present 

American College of Surgeons Fellow American College of Physician Executives Member 2007 - Present 

Asian Society for Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery Member 1999 - Present 

Denton A. Cooley Cardiovascular Surgical Society Member 1995 - Present 

Congenital Heart Surgeons Society (CHSS) Member European Association for Cardiothoracic Surgery Member 1998 - Present 

European Association for Congenital Heart Surgeons Member 2001 - Present 

European Association for Pediatric and Congenital Cardiology, Surgical Working Group Member 2008 - Present 

International Society for Cardiovascular Surgery Member 1999 - Present 

Mayo Alumni Association Alumni Member 1997 – Present / Board Member 2016-2022 

New York Academy of Sciences Member 1988 - Present 

Priestly Society Member 1997 - Present 

Society of Thoracic Surgeons Member 2001 - Present 

Turkish Medical Association Member 1988 - Present 

Turkish Society for Cardiovascular Surgery Member 1993 - Present 

World Society for Pediatric and Congenital Heart Surgery Founding Member 2007- Present