Prof. M.D. Ayşe Sarioğlu

Our 72-year-old father, Mehmet, was referred to Dr. Ayşe Sarioğlu after his local doctor detected an unusual murmur during a routine checkup for his diabetes. We were worried about subjecting him to complex cardiac tests at his age, but Dr. Sarioğlu was extraordinary. She didn't just look at his heart; she considered his whole history. She discovered a congenital defect that had gone undetected his entire life and was now causing complications due to age-related changes. Her approach was so gentle—she explained everything using simple analogies about plumbing and pressure, even drawing diagrams for us. She coordinated with his endocrinologist to create a conservative management plan that avoided invasive procedures. At Acıbadem Bakırköy, her team made him feel like a respected elder, not just a case. His energy has improved dramatically with the medication adjustment she recommended.

When our 8-day-old newborn, Elif, turned blue during a feeding, our world shattered. Rushed to Acıbadem Bakırköy's ER in the middle of the night, we were met by Dr. Sarioğlu, who had been called in urgently. The calm intensity she radiated was our anchor. She diagnosed a critical coarctation of the aorta within minutes via echocardiogram. What stays with us isn't just her surgical skill—she performed a life-saving procedure the next morning—but how she treated us. She gave us clear, honest updates without false hope but also without crushing our spirits. She showed us the actual ultrasound images, pointing to the problem and the repair, demystifying the terror. During follow-ups, she remembers Elif's name, asks about her milestones, and celebrates her progress. She saved our daughter's life and guided us through our deepest fear with incredible humanity.

Our 7-year-old son, Deniz, a competitive swimmer, failed his sports participation ECG. We expected a quick all-clear, but Dr. Sarioğlu noticed a subtle, potentially dangerous arrhythmia pattern during a stress test. She could have dismissed it, but her meticulousness was relentless. She fitted him with a special event monitor for two weeks of training. The analysis revealed episodes of SVT triggered by intense exertion. Instead of just banning him from swimming, which would have broken his heart, she collaborated on a brilliant plan: a catheter ablation procedure. She explained it to Deniz using a 'map and fix the short circuit' video game analogy. The procedure at the hospital was smooth, and her post-op check was filled with high-fives. He's back in the pool, stronger than ever, with a clean bill of health. She protected his future without taking away his passion.

We brought our 4-year-old, Zeynep, for a routine follow-up on her small VSD (ventricular septal defect), expecting a five-minute visit. Dr. Sarioğlu spent 45 minutes with us. She didn't just listen to her heart; she watched her play, asked about her kindergarten friends, and noted her slight breathlessness after climbing stairs—something we'd attributed to being a kid. Her eagle eyes spotted signs the defect wasn't closing as hoped and was starting to affect her pulmonary pressure. She proposed a revolutionary, minimally invasive device closure. The way she prepared Zeynep was magic—using a stuffed bear with a 'heart patch' and letting her listen to her own heartbeat. The procedure felt like a collaboration. A year later, Zeynep runs without tiring, and our visits are now joyful celebrations of health. Dr. Sarioğlu sees the child, not just the chart.