Hi All...I have recently been diagnosed with a leaky heart mitral valve...looking for recommendations from like folks who have had the procedure done here in Thailand...have done a bit of online searching and the procedure seem pretty darn expensive at the usual 5star hospitals...anyway, looking for suggestions...thanks in advance😀

1 hour ago, NZAMBOY said:

Hi All...I have recently been diagnosed with a leaky heart mitral valve...looking for recommendations from like folks who have had the procedure done here in Thailand...have done a bit of online searching and the procedure seem pretty darn expensive at the usual 5star hospitals...anyway, looking for suggestions...thanks in advance😀

Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital (Chiang Mai University’s teaching hospital) and Bangkok Hospital Chiang Mai’s Heart Center of Excellence

Where in Thailand are you located? 

Hi Sheryl...I'm in BKK and also in Udon Thani often...cheers

Private hospitals, even the mid-range ones, will run you well over a million baht if replacement (vs. repair) is needed, and even repair may reach 750k- 1 million.

 

If cost is a major concern then should go to government hospital.  In Bangkok, Rajawithi Hospital is best for this. But expect large crowds, very long waits, and complicated beaurocracy. Last time I helped someone go there it took a solid week of daily visits & waits just to meet the heart surgeon. They will be opening a semiprivate channel ("premium clinic" early next year but not yet operational. Definitely need a Thai speaker with you at least initially. along with reading material and lots of patience.

 

Other option, and likely better if you don't mind a 2 hour  drive from Udon Thani, is the Khon Kaen university Queen Sirirkit Heart Hospital. https://heart.kku.ac.th/

In fact provided you can manage the drive and have place to stay pre and post op in Udon Thani, that would be my first recommendation. There will be red tape and waits there too but not as bad as Rajawithi and the care is excellent. 

 

Hopefully they can do repair and not have to replace the valve but if they do need to replace, need to consider pros and cons of bioprosthetic vs mechanical valve.  The latter avoids the need for lifelong anticoagulation but the latter lasts longer. 

 

2 hours ago, Sheryl said:

Private hospitals, even the mid-range ones, will run you well over a million baht if replacement (vs. repair) is needed, and even repair may reach 750k- 1 million.

 

If cost is a major concern then should go to government hospital.  In Bangkok, Rajawithi Hospital is best for this. But expect large crowds, very long waits, and complicated beaurocracy. Last time I helped someone go there it took a solid week of daily visits & waits just to meet the heart surgeon. They will be opening a semiprivate channel ("premium clinic" early next year but not yet operational. Definitely need a Thai speaker with you at least initially. along with reading material and lots of patience.

 

Other option, and likely better if you don't mind a 2 hour  drive from Udon Thani, is the Khon Kaen university Queen Sirirkit Heart Hospital. https://heart.kku.ac.th/

In fact provided you can manage the drive and have place to stay pre and post op in Udon Thani, that would be my first recommendation. There will be red tape and waits there too but not as bad as Rajawithi and the care is excellent. 

 

Hopefully they can do repair and not have to replace the valve but if they do need to replace, need to consider pros and cons of bioprosthetic vs mechanical valve.  The latter avoids the need for lifelong anticoagulation but the latter lasts longer. 

 

Thanks so much for the info, Sheryl😀...I will be looking into the Khon Kaen Heart Hospital definitely...