Prof. MD. Ahmet Özkara

Prof. MD.

Ahmet Özkara

Cardiovascular Surgery, Pediatric Cardiovascular Surgery
Single Form Doctors

Areas of Interests

  • Arterial Revasculaisation in Coronary Bypass Surgery
  • Major Artery Surgery
  • Congenital Heart Surgery
33

International
Articles

21

h-index

Professor Ahmet Özkara, A Global Leader in Pediatric & Robotic Cardiac Surgery, Driven by 30 Years of Clinical and Academic Excellence

Professor Dr. Ahmet Özkara is a highly respected specialist in Cardiovascular Surgery at LIV Hospital, bringing over three decades of exceptional clinical expertise to patients of all ages. His dedication to providing world-class care is rooted in a deep-seated patient-centric philosophy, ensuring every complex treatment plan is precisely tailored to individual needs, whether for an adult or a child. Dr. Özkara is celebrated for his unique dual proficiency, expertly managing intricate adult procedures alongside specialized Pediatric Cardiovascular Surgery. This latter focus includes delicate operations for congenital heart defects such as Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) and Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD) repair, Tetralogy of Fallot correction, and complex Aortic Arch Anomalies, providing critical care to the youngest patients. In adult cardiac surgery, Professor Özkara champions the use of advanced technology and minimally invasive techniques, including Robotic Cardiac Surgery, to achieve superior outcomes. He is highly skilled in Arterial Revascularization for Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) and complex procedures like the Ross and Bentall operations. By consistently employing these advanced treatments, Dr. Özkara dramatically reduces procedural trauma, leading to significantly faster recovery times and maximizing overall patient comfort. His extensive experience and commitment to utilizing cutting-edge technology demonstrate a surgical prowess that ensures the highest standards of safety and efficacy in all major artery, valve, and coronary interventions. 

Holding the distinguished scientific title of Professor of Cardiovascular Surgery, Dr. Ahmet Özkara stands as a formidable academic authority whose clinical practice is meticulously anchored in evidence-based medicine. His continuous dedication to advancing the field is substantiated by a notable history of scientific research and publication, including 24 International Journal Papers and 5 Book Chapters. This significant body of work focuses on critical areas such as optimizing arterial grafting techniques and improving results in congenital heart defect repair, establishing him as a respected scientific leader among his peers. Professor Özkara actively embraces his role as an educator and mentor, utilizing his long-standing faculty experience at institutions like Selçuk University to train the next generation of cardiovascular specialists. His methodologies and protocols reflect global best practices, maintained through his active membership in prestigious international organizations, including the European Society of Vascular Surgery and the National Society of Vascular Surgery (USA). This deep engagement in collaborative academic discourse ensures that all diagnostics and treatment pathways he recommends are rigorously validated by the latest scientific evidence. By harmonizing his surgical mastery with his commitment to academic excellence, Professor Özkara guarantees that his patients benefit from the most current, effective, and scientifically sound advanced treatments available in modern cardiac and vascular care.

33

International
Articles

21

h-index

Professor Ahmet Özkara, A Global Leader in Pediatric & Robotic Cardiac Surgery, Driven by 30 Years of Clinical and Academic Excellence

Professor Dr. Ahmet Özkara is a highly respected specialist in Cardiovascular Surgery at LIV Hospital, bringing over three decades of exceptional clinical expertise to patients of all ages. His dedication to providing world-class care is rooted in a deep-seated patient-centric philosophy, ensuring every complex treatment plan is precisely tailored to individual needs, whether for an adult or a child. Dr. Özkara is celebrated for his unique dual proficiency, expertly managing intricate adult procedures alongside specialized Pediatric Cardiovascular Surgery. This latter focus includes delicate operations for congenital heart defects such as Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) and Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD) repair, Tetralogy of Fallot correction, and complex Aortic Arch Anomalies, providing critical care to the youngest patients. In adult cardiac surgery, Professor Özkara champions the use of advanced technology and minimally invasive techniques, including Robotic Cardiac Surgery, to achieve superior outcomes. He is highly skilled in Arterial Revascularization for Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) and complex procedures like the Ross and Bentall operations. By consistently employing these advanced treatments, Dr. Özkara dramatically reduces procedural trauma, leading to significantly faster recovery times and maximizing overall patient comfort. His extensive experience and commitment to utilizing cutting-edge technology demonstrate a surgical prowess that ensures the highest standards of safety and efficacy in all major artery, valve, and coronary interventions. 

Holding the distinguished scientific title of Professor of Cardiovascular Surgery, Dr. Ahmet Özkara stands as a formidable academic authority whose clinical practice is meticulously anchored in evidence-based medicine. His continuous dedication to advancing the field is substantiated by a notable history of scientific research and publication, including 24 International Journal Papers and 5 Book Chapters. This significant body of work focuses on critical areas such as optimizing arterial grafting techniques and improving results in congenital heart defect repair, establishing him as a respected scientific leader among his peers. Professor Özkara actively embraces his role as an educator and mentor, utilizing his long-standing faculty experience at institutions like Selçuk University to train the next generation of cardiovascular specialists. His methodologies and protocols reflect global best practices, maintained through his active membership in prestigious international organizations, including the European Society of Vascular Surgery and the National Society of Vascular Surgery (USA). This deep engagement in collaborative academic discourse ensures that all diagnostics and treatment pathways he recommends are rigorously validated by the latest scientific evidence. By harmonizing his surgical mastery with his commitment to academic excellence, Professor Özkara guarantees that his patients benefit from the most current, effective, and scientifically sound advanced treatments available in modern cardiac and vascular care.

Research
  • Comparison of conventional and no-touch techniques in harvesting saphenous vein for coronary artery bypass grafting in view of endothelial damage. 2010

 

International Papers
  • Bilal MS, Öztunç F, Beşikçi R, Bilal  S, Özkara A, Olga R. Accessory Mitral Valve Tissue Causing Severe Subaortic Stenosis with Dextrocardia in a Premature Newborn. Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 47(1999) 252-255.
  • Mert M, Özkara A, Hatemi AC.  Leaflet Escape in a Revised Edwards-Duromedics Mitral Prosthesis.   J Heart Valve Dis 2003;12:513-5.
  • Tireli E, Çetin G, Söyler İ, Özkara A. Mitral Valve Replacement By A Gore-Tex Reinforced Pulmonary Autograft in a Child. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2004;127:1225
  • Çetin G, Tireli E, Özkara A, Süzer K. Occlusion and Stenosis of Coronary Perfusion Graft After Reconstruction of Ascending Aorta with the Cabrol Technique. Eur J Cardio-Thorac Surg 2004;25:284-85.
  • Cetin G, Tireli E, Özkara A, Koner O, Soyler I, Saltik L, Babaoglu K.   Arterial switch operations for single coronary artery ostium or intramural coronary artery. Circ J 2004;68:1179-83.
  • Özkara A, Çetin G, Mert M, Erdem CC, Ökcün B, Günay I. Sinus of valsalva aneurysm: surgical approaches to complicated cases. ANZ J Surg 2005;75:51-4.
  • Mert M, Cetin G, Turkoglu H, Özkara A, Akcevin A, Saltik L, Gunay I  Early results of valved bovine jugular vein conduit for right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction  Int J Artif Organs  2005;28:251-5.
  • Çetin G, Saltık L, Özkara A, Babaoğlu K. Unusual presentation of myocardial ischemia after arterial switch operation. Eur J Cardio-Thorac Surg 2005;27:518-9.
  • Korkmaz AA, Onan B, Onan S, Ozkara A, Guden M, Bakay C. Combined internal mammary artery graft in coronary bypass: 18-year follow-up. Ann Thorac Surg 2009;87:57-82
  • Bakay C, Onana B, Onan IS,  Ozkara A. Coronary artery bypass grafting in cold-induced urticaria. Ann Thorac Surg 2010;89:949-51
  • Aytekin S, Tayyareci Y, Yıldırımtürk O, Yurdakul S, Sağbaş E, Sanisoğlu I, Ozkara A, Akpımnar B,Prosthetic heart valve ring thrombosis.  JACC Cardiovasc Imaging 2011 ;4:1141-3
  • Bakay C, Onan B, Korkmaz AA, Onan IS, Özkara A. Sequential in situ left internal thoracic artery grafting to the circumflex and right coronary artery areas. Ann Thorac Surg  2013; 95:63-70
  • Mert M, Arat-Özkan A, Özkara A, Aydemir NA, Babalık E.  Radiation-Induced Coronary Artery Disease.  Z Kardiol 2003;92:682-85.
  • Mert M, Paker T, Akcevin A, Cetin G, Özkara A, Saltik L, Bakir I, Yıldız CE. Diagnosis, management and results of treatment for aortopulmonary Window. Cardiol Young 2004;14:506-11
  • Cetin G, Tireli E, Özkara A, Koner O, Erdem CC, Soyler I, Gunay I, Onursal E. Aortic arch reconstruction with pulmonary autograft patch in coarctation and interruption of the aorta. J Card Surg. 2005;20:167-70.
  • Cetin G, Özkara A, Akcevin A, Korkut AK, Soyler I, Koner O, Tireli E. Repair of multiple muscular ventricular septal defects: septal obliteration technique J Cardiac Surg 2005;20:274-7.
  • Çetin G, Özkara A, Söyler I, Tireli E. A novel technique for creation of a systemic-to-pulmonary arterial shunt. Cardiol Young 2005; 15: 1″“4.
  • Özkara A, MD, Cetin G, Mert M, Akıncı O, Erdem CC, Süzer K . Arch-first technique via Clamshell incision: Successful surgical reoperation for aortic arch dissection. Tex Heart Inst J 2005;32:555-558.
  • Özkara A, Çetin G, Mert M, Yıldız CE, Arat A, Akçevin A, Süzer K. Postinfarction ventricular septal rupture: Surgical intervention and risk factors influencing hospital mortality. Acta Cardiol 2005;60:213-7.
  • Özkara A, Cetin G, Tireli E, Akcevin A, Köner O, Soyler I. Off pump repair of aortic arch anomalies with concomitant intracardiac defects via anterior approach. J Cardiac Surgery 2006;21:550-2.
  • Özkara A, Mert M, Cetin G, Saltik L, Sarioglu T   Right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction for tetralogy of Fallot with abnormal coronary artery: Experience with 35 cases   J Cardiac Surg 2006;21:131-36.
  • Sarıgül A, Özkara A, Narin C, Cimen D, Sarkılar G, Şahsıvar O, Toy H. Left ventricular rhabdomyoma with severe left ventricular obstruction J Cardiac Surgery 2007;22:417-19
  • Narin C, Ege E, Ozkara A, Tanyeli O, Sarkılar G,  Soylu A, Sarıgül A, Yeniterzi M. Surgical treatment of postinfarction pseudoaneurysms of the left ventricle. J Crad Surg 2008;23:294-8
  • Ozkara A,  Hatemi A, Mert M, Köner O, Cetin G, Gürsoy M, Celebi S, Erdem CC, Haydin S, Yildiz CE, Süzer K. The effects of internal thoracic artery preparation with intact pleura on respiratory function and patients’ early outcomes.  Anadolu Kardiyol Derg 2008;8:368-73
  • Narin C, Ozkara A, Soylu A, Ege E, Düzenli A, Sarigül A, Yeniterzi M. The effect of coronary revascularization on new-onset complete atrioventricular block due to acute coronary syndrome. Heart Surg Forum 2009;12:30-4
  • Mert M, Cetin G, Yildiz CE, Ugurlucan M, Caglar IM, Ozkara A, Akcevin A, Bakay C. Long term follow up results of sequential left internal thoracic artery grafts on severe left anterior descending artery disease.  J Cardiothorac Surg 2010;19:86-87
  • Ozkara A, Ezelsoy M, Onat L, Sanisoglu I. Type B interrupted aorta in an adult patient.  Heart Surg Forum. 2014;17:E80-1
  • Sen O, Gonca S, Solakoglu S, Dalcik H, Dalcik C, Ozkara A. Comparison of conventional and no-touch techniques in harvesting saphenous vein for coronary artery bypass grafting in view of endothelial damage. Heart Surg Forum. 2013 ;16:E17
  • Sarigul A, Narin C, Özkara A, Tanyeli O,Sarkılar G, Egeli E, Yeniterzi M, The effect of renal dose dopamine use on renal tubular function in diabetic patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Turk Gogus Kalp Damar 2014;22(2):266-270
  • Çetin G, Tireli E, Özkara A, Öztunç F. The Use Of Pulmonary Autograft Patch for Type A Aortic Interruption and Swiss-Cheese Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD). Interactive Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery 2004;3:145-7.
  • Mert M, Özkara A, Özkan AA. Very”“Low Platelet Counts Are not Always a Contra-Indication for Cardiac Surgery. Haema 2004;7:509-11
  • Çetin G, Özkara A, Tireli E, Köner Ö, Arat A, Süzer K. Myocardial ischemia after Cabrol operation. Asian Cardiovasc Thorac Ann 2005;13:187-9.
  • Karabay KO, Altuntaş E, Uysal E, Özkara A, Aytekin V. Takayasu Arteritis with Multiple Coronary Artery Fistulas to Bronchial Arteries. Int J Angiol  DOI: 10.1055/s-0033

National Papers

  • Bilal MS, Sarıoğlu T, Kınoğlu B, Batmaz G, Özkara A, Paker T, Sarıoğlu A, Aytaç A. Atriyoventriküler diskordans ile birlikte bulunan patolojilerde cerrahi tedavi. Turk Gogus Kalp Damar Cer Derg 1995;3:166-71
  • Sarıoğlu T, Bilal MS, Kınoğlu B, Sarıoğlu A, Akçevin A, Özkara A, Olga R, Aytaç A. Konno-Rastan operasyonu ile sol ventrikül çıkım yolu rekonstrüksiyonu. Turk Gogus Kalp Damar Cer Derg 1995;3:226-31
  • Yalçınbaş YK, Kınoğlu B, Bilal MS, Özkara A, Kocazeybek B, Köner Ö, Sarıoğlu T, Olga R, Aytaç A. Konjenital kalp cerrahisinde kardiyopulmoner bypass sırasında leukoguard-6 lökosit filtresinin kullanımı ve etkilerinin değerlendirilmesi. Turk Gogus Kalp Damar Cer Derg  1995;3:236-44
  • Kınoğlu B, Güden M, Kızıltan T, Özkara A, Köner Ö, Sarıoğlu T, Olga R, Aytaç A. Yenidoğan ve infant açık kalp cerrahisinde intraoperatif ultrafiltrasyon uygulaması. Turk Gogus Kalp Damar Cer Derg 1996; 1:36-40 Kınoğlu B, Sarıoğlu T, Saltık L, Özkara A, Sarıoğlu A, Bilal MS, Köner Ö, Olga R, Aytaç A. Vasküler ring: Cerrahi tedavi ve sonuçlar. Turk Gogus Kalp Damar Cer Derg 1997; 5:44-51
  • Özkara A, Köner Ö, Tekin S, Çetin G, Karaoğlu K, Sarıoğlu T. Pediyatrik hastalarda kardiyopulmoner bypass sırasında tümör nekrozis faktör-ï¡ salınımı ve ultrafiltrasyonla uzaklaştırılmasının klinik etkileri. GKD Anest Yoğ Bak Dern Derg  2001; 7:63-70.
  • Mert M, Öztunç F, Çetin G, Bakır İ, Özkara A. Left superior vena cava-left atrium communication diagnosed by bedside contrast echocardiography. Anatol J Cardiol 2002;4:347-8.
  • Mert M, Süzer K, Özkara A, Çetin G, Arat-Özkan A. İskemik mitral yetersizliği   İÜ Kardiyol Enst Derg  2002;1: 32-36.
  • Mert M, Arat-Özkan A, Günay İ, Özkara A, Çetin G. Triküspid kapak replasmanı endikasyonları ve uygun protez seçimi  İÜ Kardiyol Enst Derg  2003;2:11-17.
  • Mert M, Bakır İ, Özkara A, Arat-Özkan A, Babalık E, Yıldız CE, Bakay C. Serbest internal torasik arter greftlerinin proksimal anastomoz yerinin uzun dönem açık kalım oranına etkisi. Turk Gogus Kalp Damar Cer Derg 2003;11:105-109.
  • Çetin G, Özkara A, Mert M, Aydemir  NA, Köner Ö, Olga R, Güven Ö. Penetran kalp yaralanmasıyla gelişen ventriküler septal defekt: olgu sunumu. Turk Gogus Kalp Damar Cer Derg 2003;11:190-192.
  • Mert M, Günay İ, Saltık L, Özkara A, Seren S. Pediyatrik kalp cerrahisinde kanülasyon hasarına bağlı olarak gelişebilecek süperiyor vena kava sendromlarında tedavi seçenekleri. Turk Gogus Kalp Damar Cer Derg 2003;11:249-252.
  • Özkara A, Mert M, Çetin G, Süzer K. Akut miyokard enfarktüsü sonucu gelişen ventriküler septal defekt: cerrahi yaklaşımlar ve risk faktörleri. İÜ Kardiyol Enst Derg  2003 ;2:18-24.
  • Çetin G, Mert M, Özkara A, Köner Ö, Saltık L. 11 yaşında geniş aortapulmoner pencereli hastada cerrahi tedavi ve sonrası. Turk Gogus Kalp Damar Cer Derg 2004;12:196-8
  • Köner Ö, Çetin G, Özkara A, Saltık L. Pediyatrik bir hastada asendan aorta pseudoanevrizması. Turk Gogus Kalp Damar Cer Derg 2004;12:123-125.
  • Çetin G, Tireli E, Özkara A, Köner Ö, Haydın S, Mert M, Günay İ. Arteriyel switch ameliyatları sırasında karşılaşılan zorlu bir problem: tek koroner ostium ve intramural koroner arterler.  İÜ Kardiyol Enst Derg 2004;3:15-18
  • Çetin G, Özkara A, Mert AM, Hatemi AC, Öztunç F, Güven Ö. Supraannular mitral valve replacement in a child with congenital mitral stenosis. Anatol J Cardiol 2004;4:175-7
  • Mert M, Özkara A, Seren S, Gülcan F, Erdem CÇ, Süzer K. Topikal ve intralüminal papaverin uygulamalarının internal torasik arter akımına etkisi. Turk Gogus Kalp Damar Cer Derg 2004;12:76-80
  • Çetin G, Haydın S, Özkara A, Mert M, Akcevin A, Saltık L, Sarıoğlu T. Büyük damarların transpozisyonunda Senning ameliyatı: Orta ve uzun dönem sonuçları. MN Kardiyoloji Dergisi 2005;12:36-41.
  • Mert M, Arat A, Özkara A, Çetin G, Bakır İ, Küçükoğlu S, Akçevin A, Günay İ. Triküspid kapak replasmanı uzun dönem sonuçları Turk Gogus Kalp Damar Cer Derg 2005;13:107-111.
  • Mert M, Çeliker C, Arat-Özkan A, Özkara A, Yazıcıoğlu N. Spontenous restoration of the sinus ryhtm after aortic valve replacement in a patient with complete atrioventricular block and aortic regurgitation. Koşuyolu Heart Journal 2002; 6:68-71
  • Özkara A, Çetin G, Mert M, Akçevin A, Paker T, Türkoğlu H, Saltık L, Öztunç F, Sarıoğlu A, Süzer K, Günay İ, Sarıoğlu T, Aytaç A  Total anormal pulmoner venöz dönüş ve cerrahi yaklaşımlar. 61 vakalık deneyim  Turk Gogus Kalp Damar Cer Derg 2005;13:329-34.
  • Özkara A, Çetin G, Köner Ö, Saltık L, Kansız E. Büyük Damarların Transpozisyonu, Ventriküler Septal Defekt ve aortik ark interapsiyonu tanılı hastada tek oturum ve iki ayrı insizyonla başarılı cerrahi tedavi. Turk Gogus Kalp Damar Cer Derg 2006;14:230-2
  • Özkara A, Korkut AK, Cetin G, Ersanlı M, Süzer K.  Mobilization of The Coronary Artery in a Patient With Tetralogy of Fallot and Abnormal Coronary Artery. Turk Gogus Kalp Damar Cer Derg 2005;13:240-2
  • Sarıgül A, Özkara A,Narin C, Işık M, Cimen D, Sarkılar G, Ege E, Yeniterzi M. Total anormal pulmoner venöz dönüş anomalili bir hastada postoperatif oral sildenafil kullanımı. Turk Gogus Kalp Damar Cer Derg 2007 ;15:162-164
  • Özkara A, Günay İ, Çetin G, Mert M, Sar M. Early double valve re-replacement after Ross operation. Anadolu Kardiyol Derg 2007; 7: 196-198
  • Özkara A, Ege E, Narin C, Şahsıvar MO, Sarkılar G, Paksoy Y, Sarıgül A, Yeniterzi M. RENAL ARTER ANEVRİZMALI BİR HASTANIN BAşARILI CERRAHİ TEDAVİSİ: OLGU SUNUMU. Turkish J Vasc Surg 2007; 16): 59-62
  • Yeniterzi M, Özkara A, Ege E, Narin C, Sarkılar G, Önoğlu R, Karaaslan S, Sarıgül A. Komplet Atriyoventriküler Septal Defektlerdeki CerrahiSonuçlarımız Selçuk Üniv Tıp Derg 2011;27:24-26
  • Yeniterzi M, Ege E, Narin C, Özkara A,Sarkılar G, Önoğlu R, Demirtaş M, Oran B, Sarıgül A. Ventriküler Septal Defektlerdeki Cerrahi Sonuçlarımız Selçuk Üniv Tıp Derg 2011;27:188-189
  • Yeniterzi M, Narin C, Özkara A, Ege E, Sarkılar G, Önoğlu R, Baysal AN, Baysal T, Sarıgül A. Fallot Tetralojisindeki Cerrahi Sonuçlarımız. Selçuk Üniv Tıp Derg 2011;27:62-64
  • Yıldız CE, Mert M, Cetin G, Canikoğlu M, Ceviker K, Özkara A, Bakay C. Sirkumfleks Koroner Arter Sisteminin Revaskülarizasyonunda Sol ve Sağ İnternal Torasik Arter Greftlerinin Karşılaştırılması Â İ Ü Kardiyol Enst Derg 2011;10 (1): (basımda)
  • Özkara A, Ezelsoy M. Ekstrakorporeal dolaşımda antikoagülasyon ve nötralizasyonu. Turkiye Klinikleri J Cardiovasc Sci 2012;4:33-
Chapters
  • Süzer K, Özkara A, Çetin G. Total anormal pulmoner venöz dönüş ve cortriatriatum. in: Kalp ve Damar  Cerrahisi.  Paç M, Akçevin A, Aka SA, Büket S, Sarıoğlu T. eds. Ankara : MN Medikal ve Nobel, 2004;1329-41.
  • Akçevin A, Özkara A. Hipoplastik Sol Kalp Sendromu. in: Kalp Hastalıkları Ve Cerrahisi. Paç M, Akçevin A, Aka SA, Büket S, Sarıoğlu T. Kalp ve Damar  Cerrahisi eds. Ankara : MN Medikal ve Nobel, 2004; 1587-93.
  • Günay İ, Özkara A. Pediyatrik göğüs cerrahisinde kalp hastalıklarının birlikte bulunduğu durumlar. in: Pediyatrik Göğüs Cerrahisi. Yüksel M, Kaptanoğlu M eds. İstanbul: Turgut Yay ve Tic Aş. 2004;451-66.
  • Akçevin A, Özkara A. Ventriküler Septal Defektler in: Kalp ve Damar Cerrahisi. Duran E ed. Istanbul : Çapa Tıp Kitapevi ve Yay Hiz. 2005;357-368.
  • Turkish Society of Cardiovascular Surgery
  • Turkish Society of Cardiology
  • European Society of Vascular Surgery
  • National Society of Vascular Surgery