ASTANA — The University Medical Center (UMC) Heart Center medical team successfully performed the 100th donor heart transplant in Kazakhstan on Feb. 4, according to the UMC’s press service.
Photo credit: UMC
The donor, a 62-year-old man from the North Kazakhstan Region, was confirmed with brain death due to a stroke. His family agreed to donate his organs, giving several patients a second chance at life.
The recipient, a 54-year-old man from Almaty, had been on the transplant waiting list for four years after receiving a mechanical circulatory support device, LVAD, to manage end-stage heart failure.
The transplant faced challenges when thick fog prevented the ambulance plane from landing in Astana. After circling for 20 minutes, the medical team headed to Karagandy, then rushed the organ by ambulance with a police escort to ensure it arrived on time.
The surgery was successful, and the patient is now awaiting recovery and rehabilitation in the clinic.
Kazakhstan’s first donor heart transplant took place on Aug. 8, 2012, led by UMC Chairman Yuriy Pya and Czech surgeon Jan Pirk. The first heart transplant recipient continues to live a healthy and active life today.
