The story of a patient with a transplanted donor heart.
Transplantation of a donor heart is sometimes the only treatment method for severe diseases of the cardiovascular system, DKnews.kz reports
However, such complex operations are performed only from a posthumous donor and with the consent of his close relatives. Tissue compatibility, blood types, and other medical factors and indicators are also considered before the operation.
Indira Smagulova, a patient of the Heart Center UMC, got her chance to live again a full and healthy life. The long-awaited call came on the morning of January 13, 2022, when the clinic's doctor informed about the possibility of a heart transplant from a donor. Indira's story began in 2012; she was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy, when the cavities and size of the heart increase. This in turn led to the development of heart failure and the inability of the organ to pump blood efficiently.
In 2018, the clinic's team, led by Yuriy Pya, a cardiac surgeon and Chairman of the Board of the UMC, successfully implanted a Jarvik mechanical pump in the patient. This fully implantable heart support system is carried out to prolong and improve the quality of life of patients, and is often called as a “bridge to transplantation”. Jarvik technology has become the second generation of LVAD devices and has shown high quality in long-term use. The implantation of the device helped to improve the patient's condition, and for the next few years Indira felt satisfactory and was on the waiting list for a heart transplant.
“Due to my health condition, I moved to Astana, and while waiting for a donor heart, I lived with a mechanical device for 4 years. When the call came from the clinic, I immediately realized that there was a chance for a new life. The medical team successfully performed the operation and helped to recover. I would like to express my gratitude to the entire staff of the Heart Center UMC, to the Departments of cardiology, cardiac surgery, and to all doctors” Indira Smagulova
At the moment, the patient's condition is good; she attends routine check-ups and continues to take the necessary medications. Working at a permanent job, Indira lives happily with her family, children and grandchildren, thanking the donor and his relatives every day for the chance to live.
To date, the Heart Center UMC team has performed 98 heart transplants. Of these, 2 operations with the participation of clinic specialists were performed for the first time in Shymkent and 1 operation in Almaty. According to current statistics, there are 4,000 patients on the waiting list for organ transplantation in the country, of which 140 people need a heart transplant.
