Surgical Services
Department of Cardiac Surgery
History and Operational Volume
The Department of Cardiac Surgery at Shaheed Rajaie Cardiovascular Medical and Research Center started its activity in 1974, with the capacity to perform 4 open and closed heart surgical operations per day.
Up to 1990, the main part of cardiac surgical operations involved valvular and congenital heart operations. Since then, due to changes in disease patterns, the center is now able to perform more than 20 to 25 operations per day.
Mission and Regional Status
The Cardiac Surgery Department is dedicated to life-saving procedures, advanced surgical techniques, and treatment methods. It continues to pioneer and develop new programs and techniques in the country. The center is recognized as a referral center for cardiac surgery throughout the region and is one of the leading centers in the Middle East for complex congenital disease, valve disorders, and heart failure.
Around 6000 cardiac operations annually
More than 10,020 adult and pediatric outpatient clinic visits
17 cardiothoracic surgeons and multidisciplinary specialists
About 6 cardiac surgery fellows
Cardiothoracic surgeons, cardiologists, pulmonologists, anesthesiologists, and cardiac surgery fellows work together to provide high-quality care. The center offers highly specialized medical services for complex and rare diseases in Iran and the Middle East.
Facilities and Capacity
This department provides integrated care for patients with diseases of the heart, lungs, great vessels, mediastinum, and trachea, in both adults and children.
12 active operating rooms for adult and congenital operations
1 operating room dedicated to emergency operations
Adult open-heart ICU capacity increased to 43 beds
Pediatric open-heart ICU capacity increased to 38 beds
The operating department also has an independent pharmacy and stockrooms. Patients treated successfully range in age from a few days old to 98 years old.
Specialized Surgical Procedures
Coronary bypass surgery
Heart valve surgery, including mechanical and biological valve prostheses, valve repair, and endovascular aortic valve replacement
Surgery on the large thoracic vessels
Heart rhythm surgery
Surgical therapy of terminal heart failure
Surgery for congenital heart disorders
Heart transplant and related advanced surgical procedures
Fellowship Training
Shaheed Rajaie Cardiovascular Medical and Research Center has admitted and trained residents for cardiac surgery fellowship since 1983. The surgery department now accepts 2 qualified fellows each year for a 36-month cardiac surgery fellowship.
This center is also the first and only center in the country with a congenital heart diseases fellowship training program, accepting eligible fellows each year from Iran and other countries for an 18-month fellowship.