Dr. Taha Özkara
Minimally Invasive Cardiovascular Surgeon
Dr. Taha Özkara
Minimally Invasive Cardiovascular Surgeon • Istanbul & Corlu
Dr. Taha Özkara is a leading cardiovascular surgeon specializing in minimally invasive coronary, heart valve, and vascular surgery since 2018. Having completed over 120 anaortic off-pump minimally invasive coronary bypass (MIDCAB) surgeries with a low 2% mortality rate and more than 1,400 open-heart operations, he actively leads advanced endoscopic cardiac surgical programs.
Biographie & Démarche Chirurgicale
Dr. Taha Özkara was born in Erzurum in 1984 and grew up in Corlu. He completed his medical education at Maltepe University Faculty of Medicine (2002–2009). He served as an emergency physician and Community Health Director in Bilecik in 2009. He completed his Cardiovascular Surgery residency at Trakya University Faculty of Medicine (2011–2018), investigating pericardial SCUBE-1 biomarkers in coronary bypass patients for his thesis. Between 2018 and 2024 at Erzurum City Hospital, he performed extensive valve, aortic, carotid, and off-pump bypass surgeries.
His primary clinical focus is minimally invasive cardiac surgery. He has extensive experience in beating-heart MIDCAB, total arterial multi-vessel grafting, endoscopic valve repair, kapak tamir ve değişimi, and . Performing awake carotid endarterectomy under regional cervical plexus block, he also specializes in endovascular aortic repair (EVAR/TEVAR) and hybrid vascular interventions.
Since 2016, he has performed over 1,400 open-heart surgeries, 500+ carotid surgeries, and 600+ peripheral vascular interventions. In addition to conducting six open-heart surgeries weekly, he oversees intensive care management, post-op recovery protocols, and international patient surgical programs.
He is an author of 11 articles in peer-reviewed medical journals and an active participant in international congresses including ISMICS 2025 and European Vascular Course (EVC Maastricht). He is a prominent advocate for robotic surgery, 3D endoscopic optics, and ECMO technologies. He speaks fluent English and intermediate German. He is married with one child.
Spécialités Chirurgicales de Pointe
Minimally Invasive Coronary Bypass (MIDCAB)
Beating-heart bypass surgery through a small incision small incision between the left ribs without cutting the breastbone.
Awake Carotid Artery Surgery
Carotid stenosis surgery performed under regional cervical block while the patient is awake, avoiding general anesthesia.
Small Incision Heart Valve Repair
Endoscopic mitral and aortic valve repair or replacement via right mini-thoracotomy without sternotomy.
Aortic Aneurysm Repair (EVAR / TEVAR)
Catheter-based closed stent-graft placement through the groin without opening the chest or abdomen.
Parcours Médical & Formation
Minimally Invasive & Endoscopic Cardiac Surgery
Cardiovascular Surgeon leading closed bypass, valve repair, and endovascular surgery programs.
Erzurum City Hospital
Cardiovascular Clinic; leading over 1,400 open-heart surgeries, beating-heart bypass, and awake carotid procedures.
Trakya University Faculty of Medicine
Cardiovascular Surgery Residency; experimental ischemia-reperfusion models and SCUBE-1 cardiac thesis.
Bilecik Emergency Medical Services
Emergency physician and community health services coordination.
Maltepe University Faculty of Medicine
Doctor of Medicine (MD) Education.
Affiliations & Distinctions Scientifiques
« Accéder au cœur par de petites incisions et des techniques endoscopiques avancées plutôt qu'en ouvrant le sternum permet à nos patients de reprendre rapidement une vie normale auprès de leurs proches. Notre mission n'est pas seulement de sauver des vies, mais de préserver au plus haut niveau leur qualité de vie. »
Chirurgie cardiaque mini-invasive et endoscopique
Traitements chirurgicaux novateurs réalisés par de petites incisions sous contrôle vidéo endoscopique sans ouvrir le sternum.
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