Imagine this – a 45-year-old woman from Kraljevo, mother of two, finally got a new heart after 20 years of hell! Yes, you read that right, two decades battling severe hypertrophic cardiomyopathy that nearly broke her. But not this time! At the Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases Dedinje, where the heart transplant program was revived just a year ago, the fifth heart transplant in the last 12 months was performed. And get this – the patient was already walking around her room the very next day after surgery!
This woman went through hell – from genetic tests revealing a pathogenic variant of the TNNT2 gene, through multiple attempts of radiofrequency ablation and implanting a cardioverter-defibrillator, to repeated hospitalizations due to worsening heart failure. All options were exhausted except hope. Then finally, a transplant that gave her life back.
The donor heart came from the Military Medical Academy in Belgrade, transported via a medical system, and the team at Dedinje – cardiac surgeons, cardiologists, anesthesiologists, immunologists, and nurses – nailed it perfectly. The patient was extubated the same day, stable and active, and immunosuppressive therapy was started immediately.
This isn’t just a medical success story; it’s a tale of human strength and perseverance. While many complain about the healthcare system, here’s proof that miracles can happen here too. But don’t forget – this is the fifth heart transplant in the past year at Dedinje, meaning the need is huge and waiting lists are long.
Will the state and society manage to support such programs and save more lives? Or will we keep watching people suffer while waiting for a miracle? While you ponder that, check out this incredible story and maybe drop a comment – who knows, your word might just brighten someone’s day!
