Another heart transplant has been performed at the Clinical Center of Serbia, this time on a young patient aged 41. The director of the Clinic for Cardiac Surgery, Prof. Dr. Svetozar Putnik, says that just a few days ago it seemed that a young life would be lost, but now the patient has a chance to live completely normally.
Professor Dr. Svetozar Putnik stated that the patient is recovering well.
“The transplant was performed on the night between Saturday and Sunday. Today is his fifth postoperative day, he is currently having breakfast, feels well, early rehabilitation has begun, he has started getting up, sitting on the edge of the bed, and moving around within a limited space, and by all parameters, it seems that everything will be fine,” said Dr. Putnik.
He explained that the patient is a young man born in 1984.
“A young male who unfortunately, most likely as a result of inflammation of the heart muscle, developed terminal cardiomyopathy — a condition in which the heart function deteriorates so severely that no other form of help was possible. He was fortunate that within a short period of time an opportunity arose for the intervention to be performed,” added Putnik.
This year, 12 heart transplants have been performed at the Clinical Center of Serbia.
“We started this some 12 or 13 years ago. The total number of transplants is over 60. If this pace continues, with around 20 procedures per year, that would meet a certain minimum necessary for the sickest young people,” emphasized Putnik.
He pointed out that heart transplantation is one of the most complex medical procedures, and noted that without the help of citizens willing to become donors, the program cannot continue.
“This is a young man who will now be able to live a completely normal life, and just three or four days ago it seemed hopeless and that a young life would be lost. He now has a chance to lead a completely normal life,” said Dr. Putnik.
Marković: The first 24 hours after transplantation are the most critical
The head of the Department of Anesthesia at the Clinic for Cardiac Surgery of the Clinical Center of Serbia, Prof. Dr. Dejan Marković, said that the anesthesiology team consists of 22 members, including 13 specialists.
“Our teams are ready, and since 2013 we have performed nearly 70 heart transplants. We have teams on standby 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and with this annual number of transplants, heart transplantation has almost become a routine operation for us,” emphasized Marković.
He noted that the first 24 hours after transplantation are the most critical and demanding for anesthesiologists.
“If the first 24 hours go well, then everything else follows its course,” added Marković.
He mentioned that they are particularly emotionally attached to patients who undergo heart transplants.
“Among these nearly 70 transplanted patients, there were some very young ones, 16 or 17 years old. We are extremely proud when such a young life can continue to function normally,” said Marković.
Finally, he shared a message with the public.
“If it means anything to anyone, I am a member of the transplant team, but since 2008, I have had my own donor card. If we, as transplant teams, tell citizens that we ourselves are potential donors, I believe that can help dispel the fear that we are all potential donors if that moment ever comes,” stated Marković.
Since the beginning of the year, 63 cadaveric organ transplants and 39 corneal transplants have been performed in Serbia. A total of 102 lives have thus been saved and prolonged.
Currently, about 1,700 people are waiting for a transplant.
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Source: RTS; Foto: Printscreen RTS