When facing complex cardiovascular issues, complex chest pain, or structural heart damage, finding the best cardiothoracic surgeon in Kuala Lumpur is a critical milestone towards recovery and long-term health. Whether you are dealing with severe coronary artery disease requiring bypass surgery, heart valve disease needing repair or replacement, or complex aortic aneurysms, choosing the right specialist can make a profound difference to your surgical outcomes and overall peace of mind.
To assist you and your loved ones in making an informed choice, we have compiled a list of highly respected heart surgeons and cardiothoracic specialists across Kuala Lumpur and the Greater KL (Klang Valley) region. These recommendations are based on verified qualifications, specialist accreditations, clinical background, and multi-lingual capabilities.
How to Choose the Right Heart Surgeon for You
Before reviewing our directory of top cardiothoracic surgeons in Kuala Lumpur, take a few moments to understand these crucial parameters. Knowing what to evaluate will streamline your search for optimal cardiovascular care.
1. Understand the Difference Between a Cardiologist and a Cardiothoracic Surgeon
Cardiologist (Interventional & Non-Interventional)
A non-surgical medical specialist focused on diagnosing, preventing, and managing heart conditions. They perform diagnostic tests (such as echocardiograms and stress tests) and non-surgical catheter interventions like angioplasties and stent placements.
Cardiothoracic Surgeon
A surgical specialist who performs open-heart, minimally invasive, and thoracic operations. They handle complex structural repairs, coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), valve replacements, aortic reconstructions, and congenital heart repairs.
2. Focus on Surgical Expertise, Not Just Institutional Reputation
Even amongst the premier heart surgeons in Greater Kuala Lumpur, individual specialists maintain distinct areas of surgical mastery. Certain surgeons focus on adult arterial revascularisation or off-pump bypass (beating-heart surgery), while others specialise in complex paediatric congenital defects, minimally invasive valve repairs, or thoracic aortic procedures. Choosing a surgeon who performs your specific surgical procedure routinely is far more essential than selecting a clinician based solely on name recognition.
Recommended Heart Surgeons and Clinics in Kuala Lumpur
Below is a compiled list of heart surgeons you may consider, with details on their clinic and area of expertise. This list is non-exhaustive, and can serve as a starting point for your search for the best heart surgeon in Kuala Lumpur that fits your requirements.
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► Dr John Chan Kok Meng – Cardiac Vascular Sentral Kuala Lumpur
- Areas of Expertise: Coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG), heart valve repair and replacement, Arrhythmia Surgery, Aortic Aneurysm and Dissection Surgery, Lung Cancer Surgery, and Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS).
- Affiliation: Cardiac Vascular Sentral Kuala Lumpur (CVSKL).
- Language and Highlights: Speaks Bahasa, Cantonese, English, Mandarin. Patients value Dr John Chan for his expertise, approachable manner, and reassuring approach throughout their surgical care.
► Dato’ Dr Hamdan Leman – Cardiac Vascular Sentral Kuala Lumpur
- Areas of Expertise: Arrhythmia surgery, Neonatal Cardiac Durgery, Congenital Heart Disease.
- Affiliation: Cardiac Vascular Sentral Kuala Lumpur
- Language and Highlights: Speaks Bahasa, English. Combines technical precision with a thoughtful, patient-centric approach to deliver exceptional cardiac care.
► Dr Kenny Cheng Keng Peng – Subang Jaya Medical Centre
- Areas of Expertise: Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), Minimally invasive Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS), Lung cancer, Thoracic and Mediastinal tumours.
- Affiliation: Subang Jaya Medical Centre (SJMC).
- Language and Highlights: Speaks Bahasa, Cantonese, English, Hakka, Mandarin. Holds prestigious European Board subspecialty fellowships in both adult and congenital heart surgery.
► Dr Lim Yew Cheng – Gleneagles Hospital Kuala Lumpur
- Areas of Expertise: Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery (CABG), Heart Valve Surgery, Aortic Surgery, Coronary Angioplasty.
- Affiliation: Gleneagles Hospital Kuala Lumpur.
- Language and Highlights: Speaks Bahasa, English. One of the long-standing senior cardiothoracic consultants in Malaysia
► Dr Paneer Selvam A/L Krishna Moorthy – Institut Jantung Negara (IJN)
- Areas of Expertise: Paediatric Cardiac Surgery, Congenital Heart Surgery, Aortic Surgery, Endovascular repair (TEVAR & EVAR).
- Affiliation: Institut Jantung Negara (National Heart Institute, KL).
- Language and Highlights: Speaks Bahasa, English, Tamil. Brings extensive expertise in managing high-risk cardiac cases with exceptional care.
► Prof Dato’ Seri Dr Mohd Azhari Yakub – Institut Jantung Negara (IJN)
- Areas of Expertise: Heart & Lung Transplantation, Adult cardiac surgery, Paediatric and Congenital Cardiac Surgery, Thoracic Surgery, Heart Failure Management.
- Affiliation: Institut Jantung Negara (National Heart Institute, KL).
- Language and Highlights: Speaks Bahasa, English. Internationally recognised for his clinical leadership and expertise in complex reconstructive valve surgery.
► Prof Dato’ Sri Dr Mohamed Ezani MD Taib – Institut Jantung Negara (IJN)
- Areas of Expertise: Coronary Artery Surgery, Valvular Heart Disease, Cardiac Pacing.
- Affiliation: Institut Jantung Negara (National Heart Institute, KL).
- Language and Highlights: Speaks Bahasa, English. A leading authority in advanced heart failure therapies and heart transplantation.
► Prof Dr Shahrul Amry Hashim – KPJ Damansara Specialist Hospital 2
- Areas of Expertise: Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery (MICS), Minimally Invasive Lung Surgery (VATS), Aortic Root Surgery
- Affiliation: KPJ Damansara Specialist Hospital 2 (Greater KL).
- Language and Highlights: Speaks Bahasa, English. Dr Shahrul has over 25 years of operating room experience, and is considered as one of Malaysia’s pioneers in the field of Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery (MICS).
► Dr Sivakumar A/L Sivalingam – Institut Jantung Negara (IJN)
- Areas of Expertise: Paediatric Cardiac Surgery, Congenital Heart Surgery
- Affiliation: Institut Jantung Negara (National Heart Institute, KL).
- Language and Highlights: Speaks Bahasa, English, Tamil. Widely celebrated for his dedicated work in paediatric cardiac care.
Recommended Hospitals & Clinics in Kuala Lumpur
Thomson Hospital Kota Damansara
KPJ Tawakkal KL Specialist Hospital
KPJ Damansara Specialist Hospital 2 (DSH2)
KPJ Ampang Puteri Specialist Hospital
Hospital Picaso
Gleneagles Hospital Kuala Lumpur
Cardiac Vascular Sentral (CVSKL)
[SG] Featured Doctor
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Consultation and procedure fees vary significantly depending on the surgeon’s expertise, surgical complexity, and chosen medical facility:
• Initial Specialist Consultation (Private Hospital): RM150 – RM500
• Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG): RM50,000 – RM150,000+ (Private Hospitals) / Subsidised rates apply at government institutions based on citizenship status
• Heart Valve Repair/Replacement: RM28,000 – RM85,000+
Diagnostic tests (e.g., CT coronary angiograms, echocardiograms, blood panels) and intensive care unit (ICU) stays are billed separately. It is recommended to request a comprehensive financial estimate from the hospital’s international patient or billing department prior to scheduling elective procedures.
You may contact us to arrange an appointment. Alternatively, visit the clinic’s website or call directly. Some well-known specialists may require a waiting period of several weeks.
Cardiothoracic surgery involves significant medical care and recovery. If communication, trust, or treatment alignment does not feel right during early consultations, you have every right to seek a second opinion. Getting a second opinion from another certified specialist is standard practice in complex cardiac care and helps ensure you feel completely confident in your treatment plan.
✅ Consume a heart-healthy diet rich in whole foods, lean proteins, and dietary fibre while minimizing saturated fats and sodium
✅ Engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise weekly
✅ Monitor and control key cardiovascular numbers (blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, and lipid profiles)
✅ Avoid all tobacco products and limit alcohol consumption
✅ Practise active stress-management techniques and maintain regular sleep habits
✅ Schedule annual health screenings, especially if you have a family history of heart disease
You can verify the credentials, medical registration, and specialist status of doctors in Malaysia through these official channels:
• National Specialist Register (NSR) Malaysia – To verify registered specialists in Cardiothoracic Surgery or Cardiology.
• Malaysian Medical Council (MMC) – To check the active Practising Certificate (APC) and registration status of any medical practitioner in Malaysia.
Contact Us For An Appointment
Whether you are seeking an early diagnostic evaluation, a second opinion on a recommended cardiac procedure, or specialised surgical intervention in Greater Kuala Lumpur, this directory is designed to help you find the best cardiothoracic surgeon for your needs. If you require assistance to arrange a consultation, contact us via the button below.
Related Content
- Top 10 Cardiothoracic Surgeons In Singapore
- Top 10 Heart Surgeons In Kuala Lumpur
- Best Heart Surgeons in Kuala Lumpur
- Top 10 Cardiothoracic Surgeons In Johor
- Top 10 Cardiothoracic Surgeons In Penang
References
- Malaysian Medical Council (MMC)
Source: MMC - National Specialist Register (NSR) Malaysia
Source: NSR - National Heart Association of Malaysia (NHAM)
Source: European Society of Cardiology - Heart Disease Malaysia: Risks & Prevention
Source: Pantai Hospitals - Cardiovascular Disease Scorecards – Malaysia
Source: World Heart Federation - Explainer: Malaysia’s top killer — Heart disease
Source: NST Online - Malaysia – WHO Data
Source: World Health Organization (WHO)
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The list is compiled using publicly available information and is intended as guidance only. Choosing a mental health professional is a personal decision and should be made after considering your own needs and consulting the specialist directly.