Heart Surgery at Bumrungrad Hospital What Bangladeshi Patients Need to Know Before Traveling

Cardiovascular disease is responsible for approximately 30% of all deaths in Bangladesh, making it the single largest cause of death in the country. Ischemic heart disease, the condition caused by blocked or narrowed coronary arteries, is the second leading cause of death in Bangladesh after stroke. And critically, Bangladeshis are developing heart disease at younger ages than previous generations, driven by rising rates of hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and smoking.

Many Bangladeshi families reach a point where local cardiac treatment has done what it can and a specialist second opinion or a more advanced procedure is needed. If you’re at that point, this guide gives you a clear and specific picture of what Bumrungrad International Hospital’s Heart Institute offers, what the outcomes look like, what it costs, and what you need to do before you travel.

Why Bangladeshi Cardiac Patients Choose Bangkok

Bangladesh has a growing cardiac care sector. Hospitals like National Heart Foundation, United Hospital, and Evercare Dhaka perform a significant volume of cardiac procedures. For many cases, local treatment is entirely appropriate. The decision to travel to Bumrungrad is not a rejection of local care. It’s a specific decision made when:

• The condition is complex, rare, or has not responded to initial treatment
• The procedure required (such as TAVI, complex arrhythmia ablation, or heart transplant) has limited availability locally
• The patient or family wants a second opinion from a high-volume international center before major surgery
• A previous procedure locally has had complications and specialist reassessment is needed
• The patient is being considered for open-heart surgery and wants to verify the decision with an internationally accredited team

Understanding this distinction matters. Traveling to Bumrungrad makes sense for specific situations, not as an automatic response to any heart problem.

Bumrungrad Heart Institute: The Numbers That Matter

Before any discussion of procedures, it’s worth understanding what makes Bumrungrad’s Heart Institute credible. Credentials from a hospital that doesn’t publish its outcomes are difficult to evaluate. Bumrungrad publishes detailed outcome data, which allows comparison against international benchmarks.

Key published figures for Bumrungrad’s Heart Institute:

• Coronary angioplasty (PCI) success rate: 99.2% (US benchmark: 95%)
• Complication rate for angioplasty: 0.39% (Thailand national rate: 0.22%, though Bumrungrad’s case complexity is significantly higher)
• Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery: 0% in-hospital mortality and 0% post-operative stroke rate in 430 surgeries performed annually (US benchmarks: 2.1% and 3% respectively)
• TAVI (valve replacement without open surgery): 0% mortality rate since 2016
• Electrophysiology procedures (arrhythmia): 99.1% success rate (US benchmark: 80%)
• Electrophysiology complication rate: 4.3% (US benchmark: 6.5%)
• Heart transplant one-year survival rate: 100%

These are the outcomes that families should be asking about when choosing any hospital for cardiac surgery, in Bangladesh or abroad. The willingness to publish them, and the quality they reflect, is part of why Bumrungrad has become one of the most trusted cardiac destinations in Asia for international patients.

Bumrungrad is also the only private hospital in Thailand certified to perform heart transplants, and has received JCI Disease Specific Care certification for its heart attack programme, a distinction held by around 400 hospitals globally. The Heart Institute is led by a team of 20+ cardiac specialists across six subspecialties, including cardiologists, interventional cardiologists, electrophysiologists, cardiac surgeons, and rehabilitation specialists. A globally recognized figure in arrhythmia care, Professor Dr. Koonlawee Nademanee, heads the electrophysiology program. Dr. Visuit Vivekaphirat leads complex coronary interventions and is known for a 99%+ angioplasty success rate. Details on the cardiology team are on our Cardiology doctors page.

Cardiac Conditions Bumrungrad Treats for Bangladeshi Patients

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)

Coronary artery disease is the most common reason Bangladeshi patients travel to Bumrungrad for cardiac care. CAD occurs when the arteries supplying blood to the heart muscle become narrowed or blocked by plaque, restricting blood flow. This causes angina (chest pain), breathlessness, and if a blockage becomes complete, a heart attack.

Treatment at Bumrungrad depends on the severity and location of the blockages:

Coronary Angiogram: The diagnostic first step. A contrast dye and X-ray imaging visualize the coronary arteries and identify the location and severity of blockages. This is typically an outpatient or short-stay procedure.

Coronary Angioplasty with Drug-Eluting Stent (PCI): A balloon-tipped catheter is guided to the blocked artery, inflated to widen it, and a drug-eluting stent is placed to keep it open. Bumrungrad performs over 1,000 coronary interventions annually with a 99.2% success rate. The Complex Coronary Artery Intervention Center at Bumrungrad handles patients who cannot undergo traditional surgery, including those with severe calcification requiring rotablation, or those with complex multi-vessel disease requiring intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)-guided stenting.

Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery (CABG): For multi-vessel disease or when stenting isn’t appropriate, CABG surgically bypasses the blocked sections of artery using blood vessels taken from elsewhere in the body (typically the internal mammary artery or a leg vein). Bumrungrad performs 430 bypass surgeries annually with 0% in-hospital mortality, a figure that compares favorably against the US benchmark of 2.1%. Bumrungrad also offers minimally invasive and robotic-assisted CABG using hybrid operating rooms, which reduces incision size, blood loss, and recovery time.

Heart Valve Disease

Heart valve disease occurs when one or more of the heart’s four valves don’t open or close properly, forcing the heart to work harder and eventually causing heart failure. The most commonly treated valves are the aortic valve and the mitral valve.

TAVI (Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation): TAVI replaces a diseased aortic valve through a catheter inserted through the groin or chest, without opening the chest. It was developed for patients who are too high-risk for open heart surgery but is increasingly used in intermediate-risk patients as well. Bumrungrad has performed TAVI with 0% mortality since 2016, and also offers SAVR (Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement) for patients who need open surgery. More details are on our Heart Valve Center page.

MitraClip for Mitral Valve Repair: A catheter-based device that clips together parts of a leaking mitral valve, reducing regurgitation without surgery. This is particularly valuable for elderly patients or those with other conditions making surgery risky.

Surgical Valve Repair and Replacement: For patients who are surgical candidates, Bumrungrad’s cardiac surgeons perform both valve repair (preferred when technically possible, as it preserves the natural valve) and valve replacement using tissue or mechanical valves.

Arrhythmia

An arrhythmia is an abnormal heart rhythm. Some arrhythmias are harmless. Others significantly increase stroke risk or can cause sudden cardiac arrest. Atrial fibrillation (AFib), the most common serious arrhythmia, is a major cause of ischemic stroke in Bangladesh and often goes undiagnosed until a stroke occurs.

Bumrungrad’s Arrhythmia Treatment Center uses the Carto 3D Mapping System and CardioInsight, a completely non-invasive cardiac mapping technology for which Bumrungrad is the only active center in the Asia-Pacific. These tools create three-dimensional maps of the heart’s electrical activity, allowing electrophysiologists to identify precisely where abnormal electrical signals originate.

Treatment options include:

• Catheter ablation: Energy delivered through a catheter destroys the small area of heart tissue responsible for the abnormal signal, eliminating the arrhythmia. Bumrungrad reports a 100% AFib ablation success rate with a 4.3% complication rate, compared to the US benchmark of 6.5%.
• Pacemaker implantation: For patients with bradycardia (abnormally slow heart rhythm), pacemakers regulate heart rate. Bumrungrad implants 30+ pacemakers annually.
• ICD (Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator): For patients at risk of life-threatening ventricular arrhythmia, an ICD detects dangerous rhythms and delivers a shock to restore normal rhythm.

Heart Failure

Heart failure is not a single event but a chronic condition in which the heart can’t pump blood effectively enough to meet the body’s needs. It develops as a consequence of untreated or inadequately managed coronary artery disease, valve disease, hypertension, or other conditions.

Bumrungrad’s heart failure team manages both medical therapy and advanced options. For severe heart failure, these include:

• Impella support system: Introduced at Bumrungrad in 2025, this device pumps up to 4.3 litres of blood per minute, supporting patients in cardiogenic shock through complex interventions.
• ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation): Full cardiac and respiratory life support for patients after major surgery or while awaiting transplant.
• Heart transplant: Bumrungrad is the only private hospital in Thailand certified to perform heart transplants, with a one-year survival rate of 100%.

Congenital Heart Disease

Some Bangladeshi patients have structural heart defects present from birth. Bumrungrad’s pediatric cardiologists and cardiac surgeons manage congenital conditions in both children and adults, using minimally invasive techniques where possible.

What Happens During a Cardiac Assessment at Bumrungrad

When a Bangladeshi patient arrives at Bumrungrad for a cardiac assessment or procedure, the process follows a structured pathway designed to avoid wasting time.

Day 1: Initial consultation with a cardiologist, review of existing reports and imaging from Bangladesh, and determination of which diagnostic tests are needed. Bumrungrad’s diagnostic cardiology capabilities include 3 Tesla MRI, next-generation coronary CT angiography (the first in Thailand), echocardiography, Holter monitoring, treadmill stress testing, and nuclear cardiology.

Day 2 to 3: Diagnostic tests completed and results reviewed. The cardiologist presents findings and the proposed treatment plan. For surgical cases, the cardiac surgeon is consulted. For complex cases, a multidisciplinary team review takes place.

Treatment: Depending on the procedure, this may happen during the same admission or planned for a subsequent visit. Many patients from Bangladesh prefer to have the diagnostic workup on one trip and schedule surgery on a second trip once the plan is confirmed and the family has had time to prepare.

Post-procedure: Recovery at Bumrungrad with cardiac rehabilitation program support. For CABG, plan for approximately 7 to 10 days of inpatient recovery. For angioplasty, most patients go home within 1 to 2 days.

Heart Surgery Costs at Bumrungrad for Bangladeshi Patients

A full cost breakdown is in our Bumrungrad Cost Guide. For cardiac procedures specifically:

• Coronary Angiogram (diagnostic): USD 700 to USD 1,300
• Angioplasty with stent (per vessel): USD 8,000 to USD 14,000
• CABG bypass surgery: USD 19,000 to USD 25,000 including surgery, ICU, and specialist care
• TAVI valve replacement: From USD 32,000 depending on valve type and condition
• Cardiac ablation for arrhythmia: From USD 10,000
• Pacemaker implantation: USD 8,000 to USD 15,000 depending on device type
• Heart transplant: Approximately USD 80,000 including pre-operative screening, surgery, inpatient care, and initial follow-up

These costs are significantly lower than equivalent procedures in the United States (where CABG costs USD 70,000 to USD 150,000) while offering comparable or superior outcomes based on published data.

What to Bring for a Cardiac Assessment at Bumrungrad

Thorough preparation before you travel significantly improves the quality of your first consultation. Bring:

• All existing cardiac imaging: echocardiogram report and video, coronary angiogram images and report (ideally on CD), CT coronary angiography if done, nuclear stress test results
• ECG printouts from recent appointments
• All blood test results from the last 3 months (lipid profile, blood glucose, HbA1c, kidney function, full blood count)
• Current medication list with exact names and doses, particularly antiplatelet drugs (aspirin, clopidogrel), anticoagulants (warfarin, novel anticoagulants), and blood pressure medications
• A written summary from your current cardiologist in Bangladesh
• Discharge summary if you’ve been hospitalized for a cardiac event
• Passports for the patient and one accompanying family member

Stopping anticoagulant or antiplatelet medication before surgery requires a specific protocol agreed between your Bangladesh cardiologist and the Bumrungrad surgical team. Do not stop any cardiac medication on your own without medical guidance. Thai Medi Xpress coordinates this communication before you travel. Thai Medi Xpress requests a written cost estimate from Bumrungrad’s Heart Institute after reviewing your current reports. You receive this estimate before committing to travel, giving you a clear financial picture to plan around.

Preparing for the Trip: Practical Guidance for Cardiac Patients

Traveling with a heart condition requires some specific preparation that general travel advice doesn’t cover.

Flight fitness: For most stable cardiac patients, a 3.5-hour flight from Dhaka to Bangkok is safe. Patients with unstable angina, uncontrolled heart failure, or who have recently had a heart attack or cardiac surgery should not travel by commercial flight. If your cardiologist in Bangladesh has told you that travel is too risky, Air Ambulance with in-flight cardiac monitoring is an option. Call our team at 01844047060 (Dhaka) or 01844 047063 (Chittagong) for a case-specific assessment.

Medications during the flight: Carry all cardiac medications in your hand luggage, not checked baggage. Bring more than you think you’ll need. Do not skip doses because of travel. If you take nitrates for angina, keep them accessible during the flight.

Hydration and activity on the flight: Dehydration increases clotting risk. Drink water regularly throughout the flight. Move your legs and walk to the aisle periodically for longer flights where applicable.

Accommodation: Bangkok has excellent accommodation options near Bumrungrad’s Sukhumvit Soi 3 location. For cardiac patients doing an initial assessment, a hotel within 10 to 15 minutes of the hospital is sufficient. For patients admitted for surgery, family members typically stay in a hotel within walking distance of the hospital.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if I need heart surgery or if stenting is enough?

Answer: This decision depends on the number of vessels affected, the location of blockages, your heart function, your other medical conditions, and the specific anatomy of your coronary arteries. Bumrungrad’s cardiologists and cardiac surgeons assess each case jointly and present the options. The decision is always explained clearly to the patient and family before anything is agreed.

Can I get a second opinion on a heart surgery recommendation from Bangladesh without traveling first?

Answer: Yes. Thai Medi Xpress can arrange a telemedicine second opinion with a Bumrungrad cardiologist after you send your reports and imaging. This is a free service. If the remote review suggests travel is warranted, the in-person appointment follows.

Is Bumrungrad’s Heart Institute suitable for elderly cardiac patients?

Answer: Yes. Bumrungrad’s TAVI program and structural heart procedures are specifically designed for older patients or those who are too high-risk for conventional open surgery. The 0% TAVI mortality since 2016 reflects a patient population that includes high-risk individuals who were told by other hospitals they had no surgical options.

How long do I need to stay in Bangkok for bypass surgery?

Answer: For CABG, plan for a minimum of 10 to 14 days in Bangkok covering the pre-operative assessment, surgery, and inpatient recovery. Most patients are medically cleared to fly home approximately 7 to 10 days after surgery, subject to the surgeon’s assessment.

Does Bumrungrad provide cardiac rehabilitation after surgery?

Answer: Yes. Bumrungrad offers a three-stage cardiac rehabilitation program starting during the hospital stay and continuing through a supervised outpatient phase of 2 to 12 weeks. For patients returning to Bangladesh, the team provides a rehabilitation framework that can be followed with local physiotherapy support.

How do we start the process?

Answer: Call or WhatsApp our Dhaka office at 01844047060 or our Chittagong office at 01844 047063. Send us your current cardiac reports, echocardiogram, and any angiogram imaging. We submit them to Bumrungrad’s Heart Institute for preliminary review. You’ll receive a specialist’s assessment within 3 to 7 working days at no charge.

Thai Medi Xpress is the official referral partner of Bumrungrad International Hospital in Bangladesh, operating from Dhaka and Chittagong since 2018. Visit our Cardiology doctors page, Heart Center page, and Complex Coronary Artery Intervention Center page for more information. Contact us at 01844047060 (Dhaka) or 01844 047063 (Chittagong). All coordination services are completely free.