Israel has a well-established healthcare system with a strong focus on cardiac care. The country offers a full spectrum of surgical and interventional treatments for heart disease, attracting patients from abroad who seek high-quality medical attention. Cardiac surgery in Israel is performed in specialised centres staffed by multidisciplinary teams that include cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, anaesthetists, and allied health professionals. Patients considering treatment in Israel should first obtain a thorough evaluation from their own local doctor to confirm the diagnosis and to discuss whether travelling for surgery is appropriate.
Coronary artery disease remains one of the most common reasons for cardiac surgery. Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is a well-established operation that reroutes blood around blocked coronary arteries using healthy blood vessels taken from the chest wall, leg, or arm. Standard on-pump CABG uses a heart-lung machine to maintain circulation during the procedure. Off-pump CABG, performed on the beating heart, may be suitable for selected patients and can reduce certain complications. Another variant is minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass (MIDCAB), which avoids a full sternotomy. The choice of approach depends on the number and location of blockages, the patient’s overall health, and the surgeon’s preference. Recovery after CABG typically involves a hospital stay of several days followed by several weeks of gradual rehabilitation.
Diseased heart valves, most commonly the aortic or mitral valve, may require repair or replacement. Repair is often preferred where possible, as it preserves the patient’s native tissue and avoids long-term anticoagulation. When replacement is necessary, options include mechanical valves (durable but require lifelong blood-thinning medication) and biological valves (made from animal tissue, less durable but usually do not need long-term anticoagulants). Both open surgical and less invasive approaches are available. For aortic valve disease, transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is a catheter-based alternative for patients who are at high risk for open surgery, though suitability varies. Mitral valve repair can also be performed via minimally invasive techniques in some cases. The treating cardiac surgeon will determine the most appropriate method based on the patient’s anatomy, age, and comorbidities.
Advances in technology have expanded the range of treatments that do not require full open-heart surgery. In addition to TAVI, other catheter-based procedures include mitral clip repair (for certain types of mitral regurgitation) and closure of atrial septal defects or patent foramen ovale. Percutaneous coronary intervention (angioplasty and stenting) is a common non-surgical treatment for coronary artery disease, but when lesions are complex or unsuitable for stenting, surgery remains the standard. For selected patients, robotic-assisted cardiac surgery may offer smaller incisions and faster recovery. It is important to note that not all patients are candidates for these approaches; a detailed pre-operative assessment, including imaging, is essential to determine the safest and most effective course. These decisions are made by the patient’s own cardiologist and the surgical team in Israel.
Children born with congenital heart defects often require surgical correction, sometimes soon after birth. Paediatric cardiac surgery in Israel covers a broad range of procedures, from simple repairs of holes in the heart (such as ventricular or atrial septal defects) to complex reconstructions for conditions like tetralogy of Fallot or transposition of the great arteries. Surgery may be performed using cardiopulmonary bypass or, in some cases, via a catheter-based approach. Care is provided by a dedicated multidisciplinary paediatric team that includes paediatric cardiologists, paediatric cardiac surgeons, anaesthetists, and intensive care specialists. The timing of surgery is carefully planned according to the child’s growth, symptoms, and the specific defect. Long-term follow-up is necessary for many patients, and families should discuss this with their home paediatrician and the Israeli surgical centre.
After any form of cardiac surgery, a structured rehabilitation programme plays a key role in recovery. Cardiac rehabilitation in Israel typically includes three phases: inpatient rehabilitation during the hospital stay, an outpatient phase that lasts several weeks to months, and long-term maintenance. The programme combines supervised exercise training, nutritional counselling, risk factor management (such as blood pressure and cholesterol control), and psychological support. Participation in rehabilitation has been shown to improve functional capacity, quality of life, and long-term outcomes. Patients should plan for a stay of at least several weeks in Israel to complete the initial outpatient phase. The rehabilitation team works closely with the referring cardiologist abroad to ensure continuity of care upon return.
This page provides general information only. Treatment decisions, including whether to travel for cardiac surgery, should be made in consultation with a qualified medical professional who has access to the patient’s full medical history.