Cardiac Surgery at Karolinska University Hospital

Cardiac Surgery provides specialized surgical treatment for complex diseases affecting the heart and cardiovascular system. Depending on the patient's condition, treatment may include coronary artery bypass surgery, heart valve surgery, aortic procedures and other complex cardiac operations designed to improve heart function and cardiovascular health.

Price

Price on Request

Why Price on Request?

The cost of cardiac surgery varies according to the type and complexity of the procedure, patient's medical condition, diagnostic testing, anesthesia, surgical requirements, hospital stay, postoperative monitoring and follow-up care. A personalized cost estimate can be provided after medical assessment.

Complete Description

What Is Cardiac Surgery?

Cardiac Surgery is specialized surgical care for conditions affecting the heart and major cardiovascular structures.

Cardiac surgery may be considered for:

• Coronary artery disease

• Heart valve disease

• Aortic disease

• Complex structural heart conditions

• Certain congenital heart conditions

• Other conditions requiring specialized cardiac surgery

The surgical approach depends on the patient's diagnosis and overall health.

Who May Need Cardiac Surgery?

Cardiac surgery may be considered for patients with:

• Severe coronary artery disease

• Significant heart valve disease

• Aortic disease

• Complex cardiovascular conditions

• Severe structural heart abnormalities

• Certain congenital heart conditions

• Conditions not adequately managed with medical or catheter-based treatment

Preoperative Cardiac Assessment

Before surgery, patients may undergo detailed evaluation including:

• Cardiology consultation

• Cardiac imaging

• Echocardiography

• ECG

• Laboratory testing

• Coronary artery assessment

• Heart-function evaluation

• Anesthesia assessment

• Review of previous medical records

These investigations help determine the most appropriate surgical strategy.

Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery

Patients with complex or significant coronary artery disease may be evaluated for coronary artery bypass surgery.

The procedure creates an alternative pathway for blood flow around narrowed or blocked coronary arteries.

Surgical suitability depends on:

• Number of affected arteries

• Location of blockages

• Severity of coronary disease

• Heart function

• Overall health

Heart Valve Surgery

Cardiac surgery may involve treatment of significant heart valve disease.

Depending on the condition, procedures may include:

• Valve repair

• Valve replacement

• Aortic valve surgery

• Mitral valve surgery

• Tricuspid valve surgery

• Complex valve procedures

Aortic Surgery

Certain diseases affecting the aorta may require specialized cardiac or cardiovascular surgery.

Assessment may include:

• Advanced imaging

• Aortic anatomy evaluation

• Cardiovascular risk assessment

• Surgical planning

• Multidisciplinary specialist review

The specific operation depends on the location and nature of the aortic disease.

Complex Cardiac Surgery

Complex cardiac cases may involve multiple cardiovascular conditions or previous cardiac procedures.

Specialized surgical planning may be required for patients with:

• Multiple valve disease

• Coronary artery disease combined with valve disease

• Previous cardiac surgery

• Complex aortic conditions

• Reduced heart function

• Other challenging cardiovascular conditions

Congenital Heart Disease Surgery

Selected patients with congenital heart conditions may require surgical assessment.

Treatment planning may involve:

• Structural heart evaluation

• Cardiac imaging

• Heart-function assessment

• Surgical consultation

• Long-term follow-up planning

The appropriate treatment depends on the specific congenital condition.

Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery

Selected patients may be evaluated for less invasive surgical approaches when clinically appropriate.

The suitability of a minimally invasive technique depends on:

• Type of cardiac condition

• Surgical complexity

• Patient anatomy

• Previous procedures

• Overall health

• Individual surgical risk

Multidisciplinary Cardiac Treatment Planning

Complex cardiac surgery may involve collaboration between:

• Cardiac surgeons

• Cardiologists

• Anesthesiologists

• Radiologists

• Cardiac imaging specialists

• Intensive-care specialists

• Other healthcare professionals

This coordinated approach supports individualized surgical planning.

Postoperative Cardiac Care

After surgery, patients require close medical monitoring.

Postoperative care may include:

• Heart-function monitoring

• Heart rhythm monitoring

• Blood-pressure management

• Pain management

• Infection prevention

• Wound care

• Medication management

• Mobilization

• Recovery monitoring

Cardiac Rehabilitation

Following appropriate recovery, cardiac rehabilitation may support:

• Physical recovery

• Exercise tolerance

• Cardiovascular fitness

• Safe return to daily activities

• Lifestyle improvement

• Long-term heart health

Long-Term Follow-Up After Cardiac Surgery

Patients may require ongoing specialist follow-up to monitor:

• Heart function

• Surgical outcomes

• Heart rhythm

• Valve function

• Blood pressure

• Medication requirements

• Cardiovascular risk factors

The follow-up schedule depends on the procedure and individual condition.

Cardiac Surgery Second Opinion

Patients may seek a cardiac surgery second opinion regarding:

• Recommended heart surgery

• Coronary bypass surgery

• Valve surgery

• Aortic surgery

• Complex cardiac procedures

• Surgical risks

• Alternative treatment options

• Previous cardiac surgery

Relevant medical records and cardiac imaging can be reviewed during specialist assessment.

International Patient Cardiac Surgery

International patients seeking cardiac surgery in Sweden should provide relevant medical documentation whenever available.

Useful records may include:

• Cardiology reports

• Echocardiography

• ECG results

• Coronary angiography

• CT or MRI scans

• Laboratory results

• Previous surgical reports

• Medication list

• Previous treatment records

Complete documentation can help the specialist team evaluate the patient's condition and surgical requirements.

Benefits of Specialized Cardiac Surgery

Specialized cardiac surgery may help:

• Treat complex cardiovascular disease

• Improve blood flow to the heart

• Treat significant valve disease

• Address selected aortic conditions

• Treat certain structural heart conditions

• Provide complex surgical care

• Coordinate multidisciplinary treatment

• Support postoperative recovery

• Provide specialist surgical second opinions

Why Choose Karolinska University Hospital for Cardiac Surgery?

Karolinska University Hospital is a major university hospital in Sweden providing highly specialized cardiovascular and surgical care.

Patients requiring complex cardiac procedures may be evaluated through relevant cardiology and cardiac surgery services according to their diagnosis, medical needs and eligibility.

The specific surgical procedure depends on specialist assessment.

Cost & Price on Request

Price: Price on Request

The total cost depends on the type and complexity of cardiac surgery and associated medical services.

Potential costs may include:

• Cardiac surgery consultation

• Preoperative investigations

• Cardiac imaging

• Laboratory testing

• Anesthesia

• Surgical procedure

• Intensive postoperative monitoring

• Hospital stay

• Rehabilitation

• Follow-up care

A personalized cost estimate can be requested following specialist assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What conditions can cardiac surgery treat?

Cardiac surgery may treat selected cases of coronary artery disease, heart valve disease, aortic disease and other complex cardiovascular conditions.

2. Is cardiac surgery always open-heart surgery?

Not necessarily. Some selected procedures may be performed using less invasive approaches, depending on the condition and surgical requirements.

3. How is cardiac surgery planned?

Planning may involve cardiology assessment, cardiac imaging, laboratory testing, heart-function evaluation and review by the cardiac surgical team.

4. Can I seek a cardiac surgery second opinion in Sweden?

Patients may request specialist review of their diagnosis, cardiac investigations and proposed surgical treatment, subject to applicable hospital requirements.

5. Can international patients receive cardiac surgery in Sweden?

International patients may request specialist assessment and treatment subject to applicable hospital processes, medical requirements, eligibility and program availability.

Product Details

Product Name: Cardiac Surgery

Hospital: Karolinska University Hospital

Brand: Karolinska University Hospital

Country: Sweden

Specialty: Cardiology & Cardiac Surgery

Service Type: Cardiac Surgery

Customer-Facing Price: Price on Request

International Patients: Subject to applicable eligibility and program requirements

Location: Stockholm, Sweden