Open heart surgery in the Republic of Korea typically costs from $28,500 to $44,500. Final prices depend on the specific cardiac condition, hospital tier, and chosen surgical technique. Patients from the United States save around 77% compared to domestic costs, where the average price is $160,000. Quotes generally include the procedure, anesthesia, and a hospital stay of 5 to 10 days.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Choosing a high-volume center like Asan Medical Center offers exceptional value. This hospital performs 45% of all heart transplants in South Korea. It maintains a 90% success rate while serving over 2,500 inpatients daily. Top-tier Seoul hospitals like Severance and SNUH are JCI-accredited. They provide a level of care that attracts the South Korean President and international patients alike.
Why choose the Republic of Korea for open heart surgery?
Access advanced open heart surgery solutions in trusted clinics .
| Republic of Korea | Turkey | Austria | |
| Open heart surgery | from $28,500 | from $8,000 | from $70,000 |
| Atrial septal defect surgery | from $18,500 | from $12,000 | from $40,000 |
| Ventricular Septal Defect Surgery | - | from $12,000 | from $40,000 |
| Tetralogy of Fallot Surgery | - | from $14,400 | from $120,000 |
| Interventricular septal defect surgery | - | from $18,000 | from $60,000 |
No hidden fees – just official clinic prices. Pay at the clinic for Open heart surgery upon arrival and use a flexible installment plan if needed.
Bookimed is committed to your safety. We only work with medical institutions that maintain high international standards in Open heart surgery and have the necessary licenses to serve international patients worldwide.
Bookimed offers free expert assistance. A personal medical coordinator supports you before, during, and after your treatment, solving any issues. You're never alone on your Open heart surgery journey.
Day 1 - Arrival
Day 2 - Pre-Operation
Day 3 - Open Heart Surgery
Day 4 to Day 14 - Post-Operation
Week 2 to Week 6 - Rehabilitation
Week 6 onwards
Please note that recovery times can vary from patient to patient. Always follow your doctor"s advice for the best results.
1,200+ pediatric and congenital cardiac interventions performed — Professor Kim is a leading expert in catheter-based treatments for complex heart conditions.
Dr. Paik Nam-sun is a surgical oncologist at Ewha Womans University Medical Center in Seoul. He is recognized as one of the world's top 100 gastric and breast cancer surgeons. He performed the first breast-conserving surgery in South Korea. Dr. Paik also invented a proprietary stomach cancer technique to reduce reflux disease risk.
The doctor is an expert in oncoplastic surgery and breast cancer, with extensive experience from prestigious institutions. The doctor holds an M.D. degree from Seoul National University College of Medicine and an M.S. degree in Surgery from the same institution. Additionally, the doctor earned a B.S. in biological sciences from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) and a Ph.D. in Surgery from Seoul National University Graduate School.
Written by Kateryna Zamkovska
When considering Open heart surgery, it’s important to understand the different techniques and which is best suited for you. Here’s a concise comparison of popular options:
This procedure involves repairing a hole in the atrial septum to improve heart function and prevent complications.
This procedure corrects heart defects present from birth, improving oxygen flow and overall cardiac function.
This cardiac operation involves repairing a hole in the septum between the heart's ventricles to improve blood flow and heart function.
South Korea maintains exceptional success rates for major heart procedures, with a 95% national survival rate for the critical 30-day window following heart transplants. Top-tier Seoul facilities frequently exceed international survival benchmarks for coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery using advanced off-pump techniques.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Clinical volume is the most reliable predictor of success in Korea. Seoul National University Bundang Hospital alone handles 2,400 open heart surgeries annually. Data shows that hospitals performing at least 65 bypass cases per year deliver significantly lower mortality rates than lower-volume facilities.
Patient Consensus: Patients value the strong transplant infrastructure and the availability of experienced cardiothoracic teams. Experience shows that long-term success depends heavily on strict adherence to post-operative immunosuppression and management of comorbidities like diabetes.
International patients undergoing open heart surgery in South Korea generally stay for 3 to 4 weeks. This period covers preoperative screenings, the surgical procedure, and 10 to 14 days of intensive post-operative recovery. Major medical centers often manage the entire duration within their specialized inpatient facilities.
Bookimed Expert Insight: South Korea's top cardiac centers like Asan Medical Center and Seoul National University Hospital function as all-in-one recovery hubs. While standard stays are 3-4 weeks, these facilities often provide 24/7 interpreter services and dedicated international desks. This infrastructure allows patients to remain inpatient for the entire recovery period, eliminating the need for external hotel arrangements during early healing.
Patient Consensus: Plan for at least 14 days in Korea and prioritize recovery needs over flight schedules. Most patients find that large hospitals handle everything in-house, but recommend arranging assistance for basic movement during the first few days.
International patients can submit medical records for remote review at major South Korean centers like Asan Medical Center or Severance Hospital. These JCI-accredited facilities use secure digital portals for imaging and lab reports to provide preliminary treatment plans and surgical quotes before travel.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Korea's specialized heart centers handle massive volumes, with SNUBH performing 2,400 open heart surgeries annually. Data shows high-volume centers provide faster remote triage because their dedicated international teams are optimized for rapid record assessment. You should identify a specific international coordinator early to ensure your files reach the surgical team directly rather than the general administration.
Patient Consensus: Patients emphasize gathering all imaging CDs and operative notes before traveling home. Many note that while remote reviews provide essential price quotes and triage, definitive medical opinions often require a final in-person evaluation in Seoul.