Last updated: June 2026
How long is the wait for cardiac procedures in Canada?
According to the Fraser Institute's Waiting Your Turn 2025 report, the median wait for elective cardiovascular surgery, from family doctor referral to treatment, is 19.6 weeks, an increase of 6.8 weeks from 2024. The wait has two parts: 8.8 weeks from family doctor to specialist, and 10.8 weeks from specialist to treatment. The same report puts the median wait for urgent cardiovascular surgery, from specialist to treatment, at 1.9 weeks.
​
Treatment at an accredited hospital abroad is one option for earlier care. It applies to planned, elective procedures that can be arranged in advance, not to emergencies. Maple Med Global coordinates that pathway end to end, from matching you with an accredited international hospital and arranging a free online consultation with the treating physician to managing travel and follow-up after you return to Canada.
How cardiology treatment abroad works for Canadians
Cardiology treatment abroad for Canadians follows a clear path: you share your medical file, we match you with an accredited hospital and physician suited to your case, you meet the treating physician in a free online consultation, and then we coordinate the hospital, travel, accommodation, and follow-up after you return.
Maple Med Global is a coordination service; the medical care is provided by the accredited hospital and its physicians, who hold clinical responsibility for your treatment.
​
Treatment abroad is private and paid directly by you. The quote sets out what is and is not included. If you prefer not to pay all at once, instalment financing is available through third-party providers, with payment made to us or the hospital and repaid over time.
​
-
Share your medical file and imaging
-
We match you with an accredited hospital suited to your case
-
If your case is accepted, a free online consultation with the treating physician
-
A clear quote showing what is included
-
Coordination of hospital, flights, and accommodation
-
Follow-up support after you return to Canada
Cardiac procedures we coordinate
The main cardiac procedures we coordinate at accredited hospitals are catheter ablation, coronary angioplasty and stenting, transcatheter valve procedures (TAVI, MitraClip), pacemaker and ICD implantation, and coronary bypass and open valve surgery. The specific technique and plan for your case are recommended by the physician in a free online consultation before any commitment.
Procedure
Who is it for
Catheter ablation
Coronary angioplasty and stenting (PCI)
Transcatheter valve procedures (TAVI, MitraClip)
Pacemaker and ICD implantation
Coronary bypass (CABG) and open valve surgery
Atrial fibrillation and other heart rhythm disorders (arrhythmia)
Narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries causing angina
Aortic stenosis or mitral regurgitation suited to a catheter-based approach
Rhythm disorders that require a device
Multi-vessel or complex valve disease where surgery is recommended
Some patients need diagnostic imaging such as coronary angiography or a cardiac CT or MRI before a procedure. Maple Med Global can also coordinate these tests, along with broader health check-ups, at accredited hospitals abroad.
Who is suited to travel for cardiac care
Whether to travel for treatment is a clinical matter for qualified physicians, and we encourage you to discuss any plan with your own physician in Canada.
The specialist who would treat you abroad reviews your file to confirm whether your case can be treated at that centre. When you share your records, we relay the specialist's view on whether suitable options exist; some cases are better treated closer to home.
How we choose your hospital and cardiac team
We select the hospital on these criteria in every case: the hospital's volume in the relevant cardiac procedure, the physician's experience with your specific procedure, and an international patient department with English-language support.
We share the hospital we recommend, with the physician's name and professional background, before any commitment.
The international hospitals we work with hold Joint Commission International (JCI), Accreditation Canada, or equivalent accreditation. If you want to compare, you can ask for more than one option.
Where Canadians can have cardiology treatment abroad
We coordinate cardiology treatment for Canadian patients at established international centres across the Americas, Europe, and Asia. The right destination depends on both your case and your priorities, such as expertise, language, timing, and travel preference.
Region
Americas
Countries
Noted for
Shorter flights and minimal time difference, which can make recovery and follow-up easier, with modern cardiac care at accredited hospitals
Europe
Germany is known for advanced cardiac centres, Switzerland for precise care under national credentialing, Spain for established cardiac programs, and Turkiye for high-volume, JCI-accredited cardiac centres
Asia
High-volume, JCI-accredited centres with advanced interventional and structural heart programs
If you have already decided on a destination, we will factor that in. All the countries we work with are listed on our Destinations page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Plan Your Cardiology Treatment with Maple Med Global
As a Canada-based coordination team, Maple Med Global manages every step of the process, from choosing the right hospital and physician to flights, accommodation, and follow-up after you return.​
To begin, share your diagnosis and any imaging with us. We review your case and present suitable hospitals together with a clear treatment plan and quote.
Or call/text us at +1 (647) 492-2777
This page provides general information, not medical advice. Clinical decisions are made by the treating physician(s).

