Invasive Cardiology in Turkey

Invasive cardiology is one of the most rapidly growing branches in Turkish medicine. In 1993 more than 37.000 coronary angiography and cardiac catheterization, 3.400 percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty and 700 valve dilatation procedures were performed by 150 invasive cardiologists. Total cardiology hospital capacity reached 1.300 beds in 38 units. These numbers are not adequate for the Turkish population when compared with many European countries. Invasive cardiology in Turkey has its own problems such as economic burden , educational issues and lack of a sound national registry.