History of the Cardiology Department

The Department of Cardiology at Ondokuz Mayıs University Faculty of Medicine was initially part of the Department of Internal Medicine. Following the restructuring under Article 7/d-2 of Law No. 2547 (amended by Law No. 2880), it became an independent department in 1990. Since its establishment, the department has graduated 66 cardiology specialists as of December 2024. In 2011, the department earned the Institutional Specialty Training Accreditation from the Turkish Society of Cardiology Competency Board, becoming the 6th center in Turkey to achieve this recognition. By December 2024, it will be one of the 16 centers in Turkey reaccredited for a second time.

Academic Objectives

The Department of Cardiology operates as a fully equipped center delivering advanced patient care and conducting clinical and laboratory research across all areas of cardiology. The department actively participates in national and international multicenter studies, contributing significantly to scientific advancements. Its primary educational aim is to train competent clinicians and future academicians through a rigorous specialty training program aligned with the Medical Specialization Board standards. The department’s strategic vision includes becoming a national leader in cardiology education, research, and healthcare services while gaining global recognition as one of Europe’s and the world’s premier cardiology centers. Additionally, the department aims to influence health policies and promote preventive cardiology for a healthier society.

Department Structure

The department currently comprises: • 5 Professors • 2 Associate Professors • 2 Assistant Professors • 13 Research Assistants The department has a total capacity of 48 beds, allocated as follows: • 23 beds in the cardiology service • 15 beds in the coronary intensive care unit • 10 beds in the angiography observation unit In addition to the general cardiology clinic, specialized outpatient clinics for hypertension, arrhythmia, and pacemaker follow-up are operational daily. Pacemaker checks are performed every Friday morning without prior appointments.

Laboratory Facilities

The department houses: • 2 Coronary Angiography and Catheterization Laboratories • 1 Electrophysiology Laboratory • 1 Treadmill Stress Test Unit • 4 Echocardiography Laboratories Additional services include Holter monitoring, ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, and tilt-table testing.

Services Provided

Coronary Intensive Care Unit and Cardiology Service

The coronary intensive care unit, equipped for Level II critical care, has 15 fully equipped beds. The cardiology service includes 23 beds—5 single rooms and 9 double rooms—and contains a dedicated echocardiography room.

Angiography, Electrophysiology, and Interventional Laboratories

Located adjacent to the main hospital building on the 2nd floor, the angiography and electrophysiology units support a wide range of procedures, including: • Coronary and cerebrovascular imaging and interventions • Complex percutaneous coronary interventions • Peripheral arterial procedures • Adult congenital heart disease interventions • Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) These laboratories are operational 24/7 for primary percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI).

Annual Statistics:

• 4,500 coronary angiographies • 3,000 balloon angioplasties and stent procedures • 600 primary PCI procedures • Various specialized interventions including IVUS, FFR, mitral and pulmonary valvuloplasties, and congenital heart defect closures • 50 TAVI procedures

Electrophysiology Procedures:

• 150 pacemaker implantations • 275 ablation therapies • 150 ICD and cardiac resynchronization procedures

Outpatient Clinics and Echocardiography

The outpatient clinics are situated on the hospital’s ground floor and include: • General Cardiology Clinic • Hypertension and Lipid Clinic • Arrhythmia and Holter Monitoring Clinic The unit also provides echocardiography services (including TEE and tilt testing) and houses a dedicated seminar room for academic activities.

Leadership Department Chairs

Prof. Dr. Olcay Sağkan (1990-2000)

Prof. Dr. Osman Yeşildağ (2000-2003)

Prof. Dr.Mahmut Şahin (2003-2004, 2019-present)

Prof. Dr. Cahit Kocakavak (2004-2008)

Prof. Dr. Özcan Yılmaz (2008-2019)

Prof. Dr. Mahmut Şahin (2019- )

Faculty Members

• Prof. Dr. MahmutSahin (Chair)

• Prof. Dr. Özcan YILMAZ

• Prof. Dr. Okan GÜLEL

• Prof. Dr. Murat MERİÇ

• Prof. Dr. Serkan YÜKSEL

• Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ömer GEDİKLİ

• Assoc. Prof. Dr. Murat AKÇAY

• Assist. Prof. Dr. Ufuk YILDIRIM

• Assist. Prof. Dr. Metin ÇOKSEVİM

Faculty Member Information

Contact Information

Patients are accepted by appointment only, except for pacemaker patients, who may receive device checks every Friday morning without an appointment.

Appointments:

Visit: Mia Med Randevu/