The University Clinical Center Tuzla (UKC Tuzla) continues to advance in the application of modern medical procedures, enabling patients to receive treatment at the level of leading European centers without the need to travel abroad.
At the Clinic for Invasive Cardiology, a new heart valve was successfully implanted using a minimally invasive procedure performed through the femoral artery, without opening the chest.
The procedure was carried out under the mentorship of Prof. Dr. Matjaž Bunc, one of Europe’s most renowned interventional cardiologists, head of the Cardiology Catheterization Laboratory at the University Medical Centre Ljubljana, and full professor at the Faculty of Medicine in Ljubljana.
The main advantages of this method are a significantly shorter recovery time and considerably lower risks compared to traditional open-heart surgery.
Acting Head of the Clinic for Invasive Cardiology, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mugdim Bajrić, specialist in internal medicine and subspecialist in cardiology, explained the advantages of the new procedure:
“The patient remains awake and communicative throughout the intervention. Local anesthesia is applied at the site of implantation, and the procedure itself demands maximum precision and perfect team coordination. Every member of the medical team must work in complete synchronization, without a moment’s delay. This method requires a high level of expertise, as valve manufacturers stipulate that operators must attend at least fifty such procedures under supervision before performing independent implantations.”
Dr. Bajrić added that the implantation was performed through the femoral artery using state-of-the-art devices and techniques, and that the procedure was completed without complications.
“After the intervention, the patient is in excellent condition, and our team is now ranked among European and global centers that apply this advanced method. Our goal is to continue expanding the number of minimally invasive procedures we perform. One of our next priorities is the development of cardiac electrophysiology, and in this effort we have strong support from the management of UKC Tuzla. Support from higher levels of government will also be essential,” emphasized Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bajrić.
The Director of UKC Tuzla, Prof. Dr. Šekib Umihanić, emphasizes that the success of the Clinic for Invasive Cardiology represents a significant advancement for UKC Tuzla. “I sincerely congratulate the team of the Clinic for Invasive Cardiology on the successful introduction of this modern heart valve implantation method. Their expertise and dedication enable our patients to receive world-class healthcare at UKC Tuzla, without the need to seek treatment abroad. As Director of UKC Tuzla, I will continue to provide full support for the further development and implementation of advanced medical procedures. It is the clear commitment of our management to ensure that the most modern and effective treatment methods are available to patients in our institution.”
