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How Much Does Open heart surgery Cost in Republic of Korea?

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.

  • Atrial septal defect surgery: $18,500 to $31,500 for repairing structural heart holes.
  • Hospital location: Facilities in Seoul often charge 15-20% more than regional hubs like Incheon or Busan.
  • Advanced techniques: Robotic-assisted or off-pump surgery typically adds 20-30% to the base surgical cost.
  • Pre-operative diagnostics: Tests such as coronary angiography are usually billed separately from the main surgical package.

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.

Key Benefits

Why choose the Republic of Korea for open heart surgery?

  • Accredited clinics: JCI-certified hospitals ensure top-tier healthcare standards and patient safety.
  • Latest technologies: The HeartMate 3 LVAD, a leading ventricular assist device, is used along with minimally invasive techniques such as robotic-assisted heart surgery. These provide cutting-edge treatment options.
  • High success rates: Open heart surgeries in Korea have an efficacy rate of 95% for coronary artery bypass grafting and valve replacement procedures.
  • Expert surgeons: Renowned cardiac surgeons, including those at Asan Medical Center, have performed over 2,000 open heart surgeries. They hold certifications from prestigious institutions like the Korean Society for Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery.

Access advanced open heart surgery solutions in trusted clinics .

Republic of KoreaTurkeyAustria
Open heart surgeryfrom $28,500from $8,000from $70,000
Atrial septal defect surgeryfrom $18,500from $12,000from $40,000
Ventricular Septal Defect Surgery-from $12,000from $40,000
Tetralogy of Fallot Surgery-from $14,400from $120,000
Interventricular septal defect surgery-from $18,000from $60,000
Data verified by Bookimed as of August 2026, based on patient requests and official quotes from 115 clinics worldwide. Median costs are based on real invoices (2025–2026) and updated monthly. Actual prices may vary.

Your Benefits and Guarantees with Bookimed

Transparent Prices & Flexible Installments

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.

Verified Clinics & Doctors Only

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.

Free 24/7 Assistance

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.

Why we?

Your personal Bookimed medical coordinator

  • Supports you at every stage
  • Helps choose the right clinic and doctor
  • Ensures quick and convenient access to information

Discover the Best Open heart surgery Clinics in Republic of Korea: 6 Verified Options and Prices

The Bookimed clinic ranking is based on data science algorithms, providing a trusted, transparent, and objective comparison. It takes into account patient demand, review scores (both positive and negative), the frequency of updates to treatment options and prices, response speed, and clinic certifications.
Ewha Womans University Medical Center
Seoul National University Hospital (SNUH)

Open heart surgery Overview in Republic of Korea

Takeaways
Related procedures & Costs
How it works
What to expect
Benefits
Payment
patients recommend -
85%
Surgery Time - 4 hours
Stay in the country - 14 days
Rehabilitation - 6 days
Anesthesia - General anesthesia
Requests processed - 3049
Bookimed fees - $0

Our Doctors

View all Doctors
verified

Sungho Kim

44 years of experience

1,200+ pediatric and congenital cardiac interventions performed — Professor Kim is a leading expert in catheter-based treatments for complex heart conditions.

  • 40 years specializing in pediatric cardiology and congenital heart disease
  • Proficient in ASD, VSD, and tetralogy of Fallot interventions
  • Hanyang University-trained with Master's and PhD in the field
  • Dedicated to long-term follow-up care from childhood to adulthood
  • Active member of multiple professional cardiology societies
verified

Paik Nam-sun

47 years of experience

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.

  • Director of the Cancer Center for Women at Ewha Womans University Medical Center.
  • Former President of Konkuk University Hospital.
  • Served as the Director of the Korea Cancer Center Hospital.
  • Former President of the Korean Society of Cancer Prevention.
verified

Lee, Han-Byoel

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.

Video Stories from Bookimed Patients

Bonnie
The surgeon was extremely knowledgeable, and I am very pleased with the international service provided.
Procedure: Open heart surgery

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Updated: 03/12/2026
Authored by
Anna Leonova
Anna Leonova
Head of Content Marketing Team
A certified medical writer with 10+ years of experience, developed Bookimed’s trusted content, backed by a Master’s in Philology and medical expert interviews worldwide.
Fahad Mawlood
Medical Editor & Data Scientist
General practitioner. Winner of 4 scientific awards. Served in Western Asia. Former Team Leader of a medical team supporting Arabic-speaking patients. Now responsible for data processing and medical content accuracy.
Fahad Mawlood Linkedin
This page may feature information relating to various medical conditions, treatments, and healthcare services available in different countries. Please be advised that the content is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice or guidance. Please consult with your doctor or a qualified medical professional before starting or changing medical treatment.

Our Open heart surgery Techniques: What Suits You Best?

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:

Atrial Septal Defect Surgery

This procedure involves repairing a hole in the atrial septum to improve heart function and prevent complications.

Pros: Minimally invasive with a high success rate of 95%. Reduces the risk of heart failure and stroke.
Cons: Some patients may experience arrhythmias post-surgery. Requires hospital stay of 3-5 days.
Effectiveness: Success rate of 95% in closing the defect and improving heart function.
Duration: 2-4 hours
Recovery: 2-3 weeks
Best for: Patients with large atrial septal defects causing symptoms or heart enlargement.

Tetralogy of Fallot Surgery

This procedure corrects heart defects present from birth, improving oxygen flow and overall cardiac function.

Pros: Offers improved long-term survival rates, with over 90% of patients living into adulthood. Enhances quality of life significantly by alleviating symptoms like cyanosis and breathlessness.
Cons: Involves complex open-heart surgery, requiring extended recovery time. Potential complications include arrhythmias and residual heart defects.
Effectiveness: Success rate exceeds 95% in improving oxygen levels and heart function.
Duration: 3-6 hours
Recovery: 4-6 weeks
Best for: Infants and children with Tetralogy of Fallot, addressing four specific heart defects.

Ventricular Septal Defect Surgery

This cardiac operation involves repairing a hole in the septum between the heart's ventricles to improve blood flow and heart function.

Pros: High success rates with up to 95% effective in closing the defect. Minimally invasive options available, reducing recovery time.
Cons: Risks include potential for arrhythmias and the need for follow-up surgeries. Complications occur in about 5% of cases.
Effectiveness: 95% success rate in defect closure.
Duration: 3-6 hours
Recovery: 4-6 weeks
Best for: Congenital heart defects with a significant septal hole, improving oxygenation.

FAQ about Open heart surgery in Republic of Korea

These FAQs come from real patients seeking medical assistance through Bookimed. Answers are given by experienced medical coordinators and trusted clinic representatives.

What is the success rate for major heart procedures like heart transplants or bypass surgery in Korea?

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.

  • Heart transplant survival: One-year survival reaches 88% to 95%, significantly higher than the 81% global average.
  • Long-term outcomes: Five-year heart transplant survival rates range from 78% to 86% in specialized centers.
  • Bypass surgery safety: High-volume hospitals achieve 90-day CABG survival rates exceeding 95% to 97% consistently.
  • Surgical technique: Surgeons perform up to 75% of bypass procedures off-pump to reduce systemic complications.

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.

How long do international patients need to stay in South Korea during the treatment process?

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.

  • Hospital stay: Major surgeries require extended inpatient admission for stabilization and monitoring.
  • Recovery timeline: Minimum 10 to 14 days are needed before travel clearance.
  • Follow-up care: Monitoring and stitch removal occur between 7 and 14 days post-op.
  • Specialized centers: Seoul National University Bundang Hospital performs 2,400 open heart surgeries annually.

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.

Can international patients submit their medical records for a remote second opinion before traveling?

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.

  • Digital submission: Patients upload MRI, CT, and echocardiogram files through encrypted hospital portals.
  • Language requirement: Most Korean institutions require clinical notes and pathology reports translated into English.
  • Telehealth access: Centers like Chaum Medical Center offer direct online doctor consultations for remote patients.
  • Surgical planning: Reviewing records helps surgeons at SNUBH plan complex open heart procedures early.

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.

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