The first donor heart transplant was performed in Almaty

The first donor heart transplant was performed at the Research Institute of Cardiology and Internal Diseases, the press service of the institute reports. The most difficult operation lasting more than 6 hours. The first heart transplant in Almaty became possible thanks to the support of specialists of the National Scientific Cardiac Surgery Center and the coordinated work of the team of the Research Institute of Cardiology and Internal Diseases," Chairman of the Board of the Research Institute of Cardiology and Internal Diseases Marat Pashimov said. According to him, the creation of a legal and legislative framework for organ donation, the availability of human, intellectual, scientific and resource potential, the creation of a good material and technical base allow today to carry out organ transplantation operations in medical centers of the country. One of the problems is the lack of donors in the country. Rector of Asfendiyarov KazNMU Marat Shoranov notes that in general, about 4 thousand patients in the country need a transplant of human vital organs. He hopes that operations such as heart transplants will help save more lives. The organ donor was a 53-year-old resident of Almaty, who suffered a repeated ischemic stroke that led to brain death. Thanks to the consent of her relatives on this day, that is, on July 13, 2023, the life of a 23-year-old boy with a serious heart disease (valvular cardiomyopathy) was saved, who underwent an operation at the age of 13 to replace the heart valves due to their infectious damage. The progression of heart disease at such a young age led to the fact that other operations became impossible, and the desired life expectancy without a heart transplant was already small," says Rustem Tuleutaev, head of the Department of Cardiac Surgery. He noted that heart transplantation is the most effective therapy for heart failure in the last stage. Now, after replacing a sick heart with a healthy one, the patient has great chances for a fruitful, high-quality and long life. According to the press service, now the patient's condition is stable, with positive dynamics. I feel pretty good. Now, of course, I cannot assess my well-being, as I still have to rehabilitate. But overall, it feels good. He agreed to the heart transplant operation with joy. I thank everyone who gave me a chance at life, all the doctors, surgeons. I believe that everything will be fine," the patient added. Earlier, the Ministry of Health of Kazakhstan told how it is possible to register your will of consent or refusal to withdraw organs from a citizen of the Republic of Kazakhstan after death for transplantation purposes during your lifetime.