Arrhythmia Doctors in Turkey — Page 2

Prof. Cengiz KÖKSAL, M.D.

Cardiovascular Surgery

Areas of Expertise

• Minimally invasive mitral valve repair and replacement
• Off-pump (beating heart) mitral valve surgery
• Minimally invasive aortic valve replacement
• Minimally invasive coronary bypass surgery
• Carotid (neck artery) surgery
• Aesthetic varicose vein surgery
• Non-surgical treatment of arterial/venous aneurysms in the legs

Education

• Primary Education – Afyon, Turkey
• Secondary & High School – Darüşşafaka High School, Graduated as Top of Class
• M.D., Doctor of Medicine – Istanbul University, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, 1992
• Specialization in Cardiovascular Surgery – Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University (1992–1998)

Career

• Cardiovascular Surgeon – Süreyyapaşa Chest, Heart and Vascular Diseases Hospital (2001–2007)
  • Contributed to the foundation of the Cardiovascular Surgery Clinic
  • Achieved Associate Professor title in 2005
• Senior Surgeon – Kartal Koşuyolu High Specialization Training and Research Hospital (2007 onward)
  • Appointed Deputy Chief of Cardiovascular Surgery in 2009
  • Clinical Educator from 2011 to 2017
  • Performed over 2,000 open-heart and vascular surgeries
  • Education Supervisor of the Cardiovascular Surgery Clinic (2016–2017)
• Professor – Bezmialem Vakıf University, Faculty of Medicine (2017–2024)
  • Head of Cardiovascular Surgery Department
• Current Position – Medipol University, Medipol Acıbadem Regional Hospital (Since July 2024)

International Training and Grants

• Leonardo da Vinci EU Scholarship Winner, Portugal (2012)
• Advanced trainings in minimally invasive mitral valve surgery (without sternotomy or heart-lung machine) conducted in:
  • Israel, Portugal, United Kingdom, Italy, Germany (2012–2016)

Achievements & Honors

• "Physician of the Year", Ibn Sina 1000th Year Medical Awards (2018)
• Only physician in Turkey authorized to educate and practice off-pump mitral valve repair
• Organizer of annual Mitral Valve Repair Workshops with national and international participation
• President, National Vascular and Endovascular Surgery Association (2016–2018)
• Editor, the most comprehensive vascular surgery textbook published in Turkish

Academic Contributions

• 80+ peer-reviewed international scientific articles
• 75+ national publications
• Authored 4 book chapters

Delivered 

200+ presentations

 in national and international conferences (since 2011)

Prof. Dr. Rifat Eralp Ulusoy is a cardiologist specialized in clinical cardiology and advanced cardiac imaging. He focuses on echocardiography, transesophageal echocardiography, and stress echocardiography. He also treats heart valve disease, hypertension, heart failure, and cardiomyopathies. He has held academic and clinical roles at leading centers in Turkey and the United States. He is a Fellow of the European Society of Cardiology.

He has written more than 125 scientific papers and has over 1,400 citations. His clinical interests include heart tumors and cardiac care for cancer patients. He also works on cardiology in chronic kidney failure and dialysis. Other interests are heart disease in pregnancy, pericardial diseases, and heart valve infections.

Associate Professor Yigit Changa is a cardiology specialist at Istanbul Florence Nightingale Hospital who underwent his residency at Turkey's premier heart surgery centre.

• Trained at Siyami Ersek Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery Training and Research Hospital
• Focuses on managing heart rhythm disorders at major specialist facilities
• Holds the title of Associate Professor of Cardiology from a leading Turkish research hospital
• Active member of the Turkish Society of Cardiology
• Fluent in English for clear communication with international patients

Professor Oguz Yilmaz is a senior cardiac surgeon at the JCI-accredited Istanbul Florence Nightingale Hospital. He specialises in surgical solutions for complex heart conditions including valve disease and aneurysms.

• Performs TAVI procedures – a minimally invasive valve replacement that avoids open-heart surgery
• Specialises in heart aneurysm repair to restore normal cardiac rhythm
• Holds a Professorship from Istanbul Arel University
• Managed cardiovascular surgery at the prestigious Şişli Memorial Hospital
• Completed medical training through the Hacettepe University English programme

Professor Dogan Erdogan refined his expertise in cardiac imaging at the Mayo Clinic's Echocardiography Lab in the United States. He currently leads specialist heart care at the Medical Park Antalya Hospital Complex.

• Specialises in echocardiography to identify the precise source of irregular heart rhythms
• Former Associate Professor at Baskent University Faculty of Medicine
• Trained at Istanbul University, one of the region's most prestigious medical schools
• Expertise includes managing cardiac emergencies and complex heart conditions

Education and Specialization

• 1982 - 1987: Ege University Faculty of Medicine
• 1987 - 1993: İzmir Atatürk Training and Research Hospital – Specialization

Experience

• 1993 - 1996: İzmir Atatürk State Hospital – Specialist Doctor
• 1996 - 1998: İnönü University Faculty of Medicine – Assistant Professor
• 1998 - 2001: İnönü University Faculty of Medicine – Associate Professor
• 2001 - 2005: Başkent University Adana Practice and Research Hospital – Associate Professor
• 2006 - 2007: Başkent University Adana Practice and Research Hospital – Professor
• 2007 - 2013: Başkent University Istanbul Practice and Research Hospital – Professor
• 2013 - 2015: Hisar Intercontinental Hospital, Istanbul – Professor
• 2015 - Present: Acıbadem Bakırköy Hospital, Istanbul – Professor

Associate Professor Cihan Altin trained at the world-leading Cleveland Clinic in interventional cardiology and manages complex heart rhythm disorders at Medicalpoint International Hospital.

• Treats irregular heartbeats using cryotherapy – applies extreme cold to disable tissue causing rhythm issues
• Performs pacemaker applications for patients with slow or unstable heart rates
• Specialises in renal denervation for resistant hypertension to improve cardiovascular health
• Member of the European Society of Cardiology and the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging

Dr Humayun Kakar is an expert in managing complex heart rhythm issues and holds specialised training from the University of Zurich in Switzerland.

• Specialises in heart failure and rhythm management at Medical Point International Hospital
• Certified by the European Association of Percutaneous Cardiovascular Interventions (EAPCI)
• Member of the American College of Cardiology and the European Society of Cardiology
• Experienced in minimally invasive procedures to stabilise irregular heartbeats
• Focuses on co-ordinating care for patients with both arrhythmia and heart failure

Professor Omer Alyan is a senior cardiologist at Medipol Bahçelievler University Hospital with extensive academic leadership in heart rhythm management.

• Specialises in interventional cardiology and treating complex heart rhythm disorders
• Former Professor at Dicle University Faculty of Medicine – a key training ground for specialists
• Trained at Turkey High Specialisation Hospital – one of the nation's premier cardiac centres
• Supervised cardiac clinical operations as a department head at multiple private institutions
• Author of numerous research papers on cardiovascular health and clinical outcomes

Dr Mutlu Cicek is a senior cardiologist at Buyuk Anadolu Hospitals specialising in the management of complex rhythm disorders and heart valve diseases.

• Expert in treating arrhythmias and heart failure within a major cardiovascular centre
• Manages hypertension and hyperlipidemia to reduce stroke and heart attack risks
• Focuses on peripheral vascular diseases involving leg and cervical blood vessels
• Utilises non-invasive protocols for stable coronary artery disease management

Professor Oguzhan Yucel is a specialist cardiologist at Büyük Anadolu Hospitals, focusing on the management of complex heart rhythm disorders.

• Specialises in coronary angiography and minimally invasive interventions to treat cardiovascular issues
• Manages hypertension and hyperlipidemia to reduce stroke and heart attack risks
• Focuses on interventional cardiology for both routine and complex cardiac cases
• Treats heart valve diseases and structural cardiac conditions alongside arrhythmias

Prof. Murat Sünbül is a Professor of Cardiology at İstinye University, Topkapı Liv Hospital (2025–present). He earned his M.D. from Istanbul University in 2005 and completed a cardiology residency at Marmara University in 2010. From 2011 to 2025, he served at Marmara University as a Cardiology Specialist, and then as Assistant, Associate, and Professor.

Expertise includes complex coronary interventions and coronary imaging (FFR, OCT, IVUS). He performs peripheral, carotid, and renal artery interventions and denervation. He treats structural and valve disease (ASD/PFO closure, TAVI). He provides device therapy (LBB pacing, ICD, CRT). He uses advanced imaging (TEE, 3D echo, speckle tracking) and performs right heart catheterization. He also manages heart failure, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and pulmonary hypertension.

He has authored over 100 peer-reviewed papers in national and international journals. His work has appeared in Herz, The Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeon, Cardiology Journal, and Wiener Klinische Wochenschrift.

Dr Mustafa Dogdus is a specialist cardiologist at Medicalpoint International Hospital, focusing on the electrical mapping and treatment of complex heart rhythm disorders.

• Performs electrophysiological studies (EPS) and ablation – heat-based treatments that fix irregular heartbeats without major surgery
• Implants ICD and CRT-D devices – high-tech pacemakers that prevent sudden heart failure and monitor heart rhythms
• Expert in treating atrial fibrillation – a common condition that can increase stroke risk if left unmanaged
• Trained at Ege University – one of Turkey's most prestigious medical faculties for cardiovascular education
• Member of the European Society of Cardiology and the Turkish Society of Cardiology Arrhythmia Working Group

Professor Dursun Aras is a senior cardiology specialist at Medipol Bahçelievler University Hospital with deep expertise in managing complex heart rhythm disorders.

• Specialises in cardiology at one of Turkey's leading university training hospitals
• Former lead specialist at Ankara City Hospital cardiology clinic
• Managed high-volume cases at the Turkey Higher Specialisation Training and Research Hospital
• Expert in diagnostic and interventional procedures for irregular heartbeats
• Academic leader training the next generation of cardiologists in rhythm management

Professor İlhan Mavioğlu is a cardiovascular surgeon and leads the Cardiovascular Surgery Outpatient Clinic. His focus areas include total arterial revascularization. He performs minimally invasive off-pump anaortic CABG (MACAB) and MIDCAB. He also performs awake carotid surgery. He manages peripheral vascular and endovascular procedures, including chimney TEVAR, EVAR, BEVAR, FEVAR, PEVAR, and CERAB, and handles related complications.

Education and accreditation: MD, Hacettepe University (1990). Cardiovascular surgery specialization, Dışkapı Yıldırım Beyazıt Training and Research Hospital (1996). Associate Professor, Mersin University (2003). Professor, Düzce University (2012). Certificates include endovascular training (2011) and Robotic Mitral Valve Repair (2014).

Publications include J Clin Med (2023), Innovations (2023), J Card Surg (2022), and Asian Cardiovasc Thorac Ann (2019). He also authored a 12-year infrarenal AAA mortality report (1999). He has been a member of national and European cardiovascular and vascular societies since 1992.

Professor Yilmaz Yozgat is a leading specialist in paediatric cardiology at Medipol University Pendik Hospital. He focuses on heart rhythm issues in children.

• Specialises in managing complex heart conditions in infants and adolescents
• Trained at the Gülhane Military Medical Academy in paediatric cardiology
• Former staff member at Bezmialem Foundation University Faculty of Medicine
• Expertise includes aviation medicine related to heart health in younger patients
• Provides care for rhythm disruptions at a major university hospital research centre

Professor Ertugrul Ercan is a highly qualified cardiologist who gained valuable professional experience in Melbourne and at the world-leading Cleveland Clinic.

• Specialises in interventional cardiology and electrophysiology to treat heart rhythm disturbances
• Holds the prestigious European Cardiologist Diploma, recognising his expertise across Europe
• Fellow of the European Society of Cardiology (FESC)
• Expert in managing complex hypertension and atherosclerosis alongside cardiac arrhythmias
• Former Dean and Head of Cardiology at Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University

Professor Enis Oguz is a specialist cardiologist at Liv Hospital Ulus with advanced training from the Heart Centre at the University of Leipzig in Germany.

• Performs catheter ablation to neutralise heart tissue causing irregular rhythms
• Uses cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT) to treat heart failure with specialised pacemakers
• Expert in atrial fibrillation ablation to restore normal heart patterns
• Implants various pacemakers and cardiac devices for long-term rhythm management
• Fellow of the European Society of Cardiology and the Turkish Society of Cardiology

Professor Kadriye Kilickesmez is a specialist in interventional cardiology at Liv Hospital Ulus who completed her training at the Royal Brompton Hospital in London.

• Specialises in LAA closure – a procedure to prevent blood clots for patients with irregular heart rhythms
• Performs septal ablation – uses alcohol to treat thickening of the heart muscle walls
• Expert in complex coronary interventions and transcatheter valve implantations
• Founding Chief at two major university teaching hospitals in Istanbul
• Fellow of the European Society of Cardiology and the Turkish Society of Cardiology