Quick answer: Heart surgery in Korea is concentrated at five university hospitals — Seoul National University Hospital, Samsung Medical Center, Asan Medical Center, Severance Hospital, and Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital — each running a dedicated cardiovascular center covering coronary bypass, valve repair, arrhythmia treatment, heart transplantation, and robotic cardiac surgery.
Why Patients Travel to Korea for Heart Surgery
Cardiovascular disease is among the leading causes of death in Korea. This has pushed the Big 5 hospitals to build large, high-volume cardiac programs. These multidisciplinary centers combine cardiology, cardiothoracic surgery, radiology, and critical care under one roof, so patients don’t have to coordinate separate departments themselves. That volume and integration is the main reason international patients with complex cardiac conditions consider Korea rather than a general international clinic.
Heart Surgery in Korea by Hospital
| Hospital | Cardiac Program | Key Strengths | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seoul National University Hospital (SNUH/SNUBH) | Cardiovascular Center (Cardiothoracic Surgery + Cardiology) | Adult cardiac surgery, coronary bypass (CABG), heart transplant, ventricular assist device (VAD), minimally invasive and robotic valve surgery, aortic surgery | 1588-3369 (Bundang), International Healthcare Center via main SNUH line |
| Samsung Medical Center (SMC) | Heart Vascular Stroke Institute | Integrated cardiac, vascular, and stroke treatment under one specialized hospital; 24-hour dedicated aortic emergency team; coronary and arrhythmia centers with international faculty exchange programs | Via SMC’s International Healthcare Center |
| Asan Medical Center (AMC) | Heart Institute (심장병원) | Eight specialized sub-centers (coronary disease, valve disease, arrhythmia, aortic disease, heart failure/transplant, vascular disease, cardiac imaging, prevention/rehab); over 500 robotic cardiac surgeries performed via da Vinci system | 1688-7575, int@amc.seoul.kr |
| Severance Hospital (Yonsei) | Severance Cardiovascular Hospital | Asia’s second internationally certified robotic surgery training center (accredited by Intuitive Surgical in 2009); hospital-wide robotic surgery total surpassed 30,000 cases, a world first for a single institution | 02-2228-5800 / 02-392-3404 |
| Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital (CMC) | Cardiovascular Center | Cardiology and cardiothoracic surgery operate a joint center with cardiac ICU, catheterization lab, and 24-hour ambulatory ECG monitoring; multidisciplinary coordination with pediatric cardiology and rehabilitation | 02-2258-5745~6, ihcc@catholic.ac.kr |
Source: Asan Medical Center’s Heart Institute (heart.amc.seoul.kr) and Severance Cardiovascular Hospital (sev-heart.severance.healthcare), verified September 2026.
Asan Medical Center’s Heart Institute has performed more than 500 robotic cardiac surgeries using the da Vinci system, one of the highest volumes among Korea’s university hospitals. Severance Hospital became the first single institution in the world to reach 30,000 total robotic surgeries across all departments, with its robotic training center certified by Intuitive Surgical since 2009.
What Kinds of Heart Surgery Are Available
- Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) — for blocked or narrowed coronary arteries, available at all five hospitals with minimally invasive options at SNUBH and AMC
- Valve repair and replacement — including minimally invasive and robotic approaches for mitral and aortic valve disease
- TAVI (transcatheter aortic valve implantation) — a catheter-based alternative to open valve surgery, offered at SNUH, SMC, and AMC for appropriate candidates
- Arrhythmia treatment — catheter ablation, pacemaker and defibrillator implantation, and hybrid atrial fibrillation procedures, a particular strength at Severance and SMC
- Aortic surgery — including 24-hour emergency response teams for aortic dissection and aneurysm at SMC and SNUBH
- Heart transplantation and VAD — available at SNUH/SNUBH and AMC for end-stage heart failure
How to Choose a Heart Surgery Program in Korea
- First, Match your diagnosis to hospital strength. A straightforward CABG case has more flexibility across all five hospitals; complex aortic disease or transplant candidacy narrows the field to hospitals with dedicated 24-hour teams, like SMC’s aortic program or SNUH’s transplant program.
- Next, Ask about your surgeon’s case volume, not just the hospital’s overall reputation — cardiac surgery outcomes correlate strongly with individual and team experience.
- Confirm whether a minimally invasive or robotic option applies to your case. Not every patient is a candidate, and robotic availability varies by hospital and department.
- Request a written treatment plan and cost estimate directly from the hospital’s international healthcare center before booking travel — Korean hospitals do not publish official pricing for international patients.
- Check visa and travel logistics early, especially if your condition requires urgent scheduling; see our Korea medical visa guide for documentation steps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Big 5 hospital is best for heart surgery?
There isn’t a single “best” — it depends on the specific condition. SNUH and AMC lead in heart transplant and VAD, SMC has a dedicated 24-hour aortic emergency team, and Severance has the deepest robotic surgery infrastructure. The right choice depends on matching your diagnosis to the hospital’s specific program strength.
Can international patients get heart surgery in Korea?
Yes. All five hospitals operate an International Healthcare Center that coordinates diagnosis review, interpretation, and admission for foreign patients. See our International Healthcare Center guide for contact details and how the process works at each hospital.
How much does heart surgery cost in Korea?
Korean hospitals do not publish official pricing for international patients, and costs vary significantly by procedure complexity, hospital stay length, and individual case. Contact the hospital’s International Healthcare Center directly with your diagnosis for a written estimate before making travel plans.
Is robotic heart surgery available in Korea?
Yes, at several Big 5 hospitals. Asan Medical Center and Severance Hospital both have large-scale robotic surgery programs, though robotic approaches are only appropriate for certain valve and coronary procedures — your surgical team will confirm candidacy after reviewing your case.
