Author: BCI

The dramatic fight for the life of a young patient suffering a massive heart attack ended successfully thanks to the swift response and 24-hour readiness of the cardiology team at “Heart and Brain.” The team saved the life of a 42-year-old man in extremely critical condition, proving once again that in acute cardiovascular emergencies, every second counts.

The man was admitted to the hospital’s emergency department due to sudden chest pain—a classic symptom of myocardial infarction. During the initial examination in the shock room, his condition rapidly deteriorated. The patient’s heart stopped beating rhythmically and entered a life-threatening arrhythmia (ventricular tachycardia), leading to clinical death.

The on-duty team, consisting of Dr. Simonov, Dr. Adova, and Dr. Alexandrov, responded immediately and began resuscitation efforts. The doctors fought with all their strength for his life, administering more than 20 electric shocks (defibrillations) to maintain blood circulation and restore cardiac function.

The cause of this instability was a blocked coronary artery. The cardiologists immediately directed the patient to the invasive cardiology (angiography) suite, while resuscitation efforts continued. “It was a race against time. In such a critical condition, the patient’s only chance is to reopen the blocked artery,” the treating team shared.

Under emergency conditions, the invasive cardiologists performed coronary angiography. The specialists identified a complete blockage of a major artery supplying the heart. The team successfully crossed the blockage and performed a successful revascularization (stent placement). The effect was immediate. Even while the patient was still on the table, blood flow was restored, the heart muscle “calmed down,” and the rhythm disturbances disappeared completely.

This case is yet another proof of the crucial role of highly specialized centers in treating heart attacks. The cardiology experts at the clinic emphasize that acute myocardial infarction increasingly affects younger people, and timely, adequate care is the only chance for survival.

The cardiology clinic, led by Assoc. Prof. Hazarbassanov, and the invasive cardiology unit, led by Dr. Iliev, operate continuously (24/7). Perfect coordination between emergency physicians and cardiologists ensures a “green corridor” for patients with chest pain—a system that guarantees the fastest possible response from hospital entry to the procedure room. In the case of the 42-year-old patient, this coordination made the difference between life and death.

The patient has now been discharged in stable condition and is recovering at home.

Hereditary kidney diseases affect between 60 and 80 per 100,000 people in Europe, and their prevalence has increased significantly in recent years. They are among the leading causes of chronic kidney damage in childhood, with a genetic basis identified in 30–50% of cases. Nearly all children who reach end-stage renal disease and require dialysis or transplantation suffer from such inherited conditions, which often affect other organs and systems as well, necessitating a complex approach and substantial treatment resources.

At the Mother and Child Health Clinic “Mama and I”, the only one of its kind in Bulgaria, a multidisciplinary team of nephrologists and geneticists applies internationally established methods for the diagnosis and treatment of hereditary nephropathies.

Specialists from the Medical Genetics Laboratory, together with pediatric nephrologist Assoc. Prof. Dr. Maria Gaydarova, use modern diagnostic algorithms on a daily basis to identify congenital anomalies of the kidneys and urinary tract. Thanks to this approach, the team successfully identified the genetic cause of polycystic kidney disease in a child treated at Mama and I, detecting pathogenic variants in PKD1 and PKHD1. Another case revealed a family with a COL4A3 mutation associated with Alport syndrome, a multisystem hereditary disorder with characteristic renal involvement.

“Clinical geneticists face daily challenges in interpreting genetic findings, and an accurate diagnosis is crucial for clinical and reproductive management—both for the patient and the entire family,” emphasizes Dr. Petya Angelova from the Medical Genetics Laboratory. “The highest success rates are achieved through early detection and prevention of severe complications. We cannot allow patients to reach the most advanced stages, when treatment becomes significantly more difficult and less effective.”

Thanks to close collaboration between pediatric nephrologists, pediatricians, neonatologists, and clinical geneticists—often in partnership with leading fetal morphologists and pediatric urologists in the country—the youngest patients at Mama and I receive modern, accessible, and comprehensive care, including genetic diagnostics at a European level.

The team’s clinical cases and results were presented at the National Nephrology Conference, where they generated significant interest and high recognition. The academic committee honored Assoc. Prof. Maria Gaydarova, Dr. Todor Vasilev, Dr. Nataliya Todorov, and Dr. Petya Angelova for their joint scientific and practical work.

This latest success further establishes Mama and I as a leading center in pediatric healthcare in Bulgaria—a testament to the high professionalism and dedication of the Pediatric Clinic team, led by Dr. Velimir Simov.

Between 15% and 20% of babies in Bulgaria are born prematurely. On 17 November, World Prematurity Day is observed. Today, public buildings, cultural monuments, and landmarks across the country are expected to be illuminated in purple to mark the occasion.

“Prematurity is the modern scourge of pediatric healthcare. Globally, around 13 million premature babies are born each year. In Bulgaria, prematurity is still associated mainly with birth weight. Not every baby born under 2.5 kg is premature,” said Dr. Andrey Hristov, Head of the Neonatology Clinic at Mama i Az Hospital in Pleven, in an interview for BNR.

He recommended that, in cases of expected high-risk delivery, the mother and her family should inquire whether the hospital they have chosen offers 24-hour neonatology care, whether it has modern equipment, and whether a transfer chain is in place in case the baby needs to be transported to a higher-level neonatal unit, as the first minutes of life are crucial.

World Prematurity Day has been observed since 2009, an initiative of the European Foundation for the Care of Newborn Infants (EFCNI) with the support of UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO), as a show of solidarity with premature infants and their families. In Bulgaria, the day has been marked since 2012 at the initiative of the foundation “Our Premature Children”.

Movember is the month when the whole world turns its attention to men’s health. On this occasion, “Heart and Brain” Pleven and “Heart and Brain” Burgas are once again organizing free urological examinations aimed at preventing some of the most common male diseases — prostate cancer and testicular cancer.
The examinations will take place from November 10th to 14th, conducted by specialist urologists at both hospitals under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Deyan Anakievski, according to a set schedule and with prior appointment.

Patients are required to bring blood test results for the tumor marker PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen – total and free), which can be done free of charge at the hospitals’ clinical laboratories between 7:30 and 10:30 a.m. on the day of the consultation.

The Clinical Laboratory at “Heart and Brain” Pleven is once again joining the Movember campaign.
Dr. Natalia Kitova, head of the laboratory, reminds that laboratory testing is the first and most important step in the early detection of this disease.
The main test for early diagnosis — PSA — measures the level of a specific protein produced by the prostate. Elevated PSA levels may indicate a malignant process (prostate cancer), benign prostatic hyperplasia, or inflammation (prostatitis)

The specialists at “Heart and Brain” advise:

Why should you get examined?

• Because prevention is the best treatment. A timely visit to a urologist can give you peace of mind for the year ahead.
• Movember reminds us: Being a man also means taking care of your health.

Prostate Cancer — a disease not to be underestimated

• The prostate is a small gland with a big role in men’s health.
• The problem is that in its early stages, prostate cancer usually has no symptoms — it doesn’t hurt, it doesn’t cause discomfort, but it can develop “silently” for years.
• For men over 50, a PSA test and annual urological check-up are the most reliable ways to detect it early.
• When diagnosed at an early stage, treatment is highly effective.

Testicular Cancer — young men should be cautious too

• Unlike prostate cancer, testicular cancer primarily affects young men — between the ages of 20 and 40.
• The good news is that when detected early, treatment is successful in the vast majority of cases.
• Self-examination and preventive visits to a urologist are key to early diagnosis.

Examinations and consultations are available by appointment only.