Patient guide
Cardiac Bypass
Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) reroutes blood around blocked heart arteries using graft vessels.
What this guide covers: This guide covers candidacy, what happens during treatment, recovery timelines, red flags, and questions to ask before you travel.
Browse Cardiology providersQuick facts
- Typical stay
- 10–14 days
- Anaesthesia
- General
- Return to work
- 6–12 weeks
Last reviewed: June 2026
Overview
What is cardiac bypass?
CABG is open-heart surgery for advanced coronary disease when stenting is insufficient. Turkey has established cardiac centres performing on-pump and off-pump techniques. This is high-acuity care — surgeon volume, ICU capability, and anticoagulation management are non-negotiable selection criteria.
Directory
Compare licensed hospitals, clinics, and practices in Turkey that list cardiac bypass among their treatments.
Candidacy
Who is it for?
Patients with multi-vessel coronary disease or left main stem stenosis
Diabetics with diffuse disease where bypass may outperform stenting
Failed prior PCI requiring surgical revascularisation
Stable angina or acute coronary syndrome after cardiology team assessment
Treatment day
What happens
Cardiac work-up
Angiography, echocardiography, carotid assessment, and dental clearance. Medicines adjusted pre-operatively.
Bypass operation
Under general anaesthesia, chest opened via sternotomy. Grafts (mammary artery, radial artery, or vein) bypass blocked segments.
ICU recovery
Ventilation, monitoring, and early extubation in dedicated cardiac ICU. Chest drains removed as output falls.
Rehabilitation
Cardiac rehab programme starts in hospital; continues at home with graduated exercise and risk-factor control.
After treatment
Recovery timeline
Week 1
ICU then ward mobilisation. Sternotomy precautions — no pushing or pulling.
Next: Weeks 2–6Weeks 2–6
Gradual increase in walking. Driving and return to work individually timed.
Next: Months 3–6Months 3–6
Cardiac rehab progresses; many patients resume normal daily life.
Next: LifelongLifelong
Statins, antiplatelets, blood pressure control, and annual cardiology review.
Warning signs
Risks and red flags
These are warning signs that should give you pause — or cause you to walk away entirely. No reputable provider will object to being asked these questions.
Offering CABG without on-site cardiac surgery ICU and perfusion team
Surgeon volume below international benchmarks without disclosure
No plan for anticoagulation and sternal wound care after travel
Marketing bypass alongside unrelated cosmetic tourism packages
Before you commit
Questions to ask
- How many CABG operations does your surgical team perform annually?
- On-pump or off-pump — and why for my anatomy?
- What is your ICU step-down pathway before discharge?
- Who manages my antiplatelets and statins after I return home?
Next steps
Research providers with confidence
This guide is for general information only and does not replace advice from a qualified clinician. Use our rankings and directory to compare licensed organisations before you commit.
Ready to research Cardiac Bypass providers?
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