Prof. M.D. Duhan Fatih Bayrak

A 19-year-old university student from a wealthy family presented with chest pain after consuming energy drinks during exam week. Dr. Bayrak diagnosed catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia triggered by excessive caffeine. Genetic testing revealed a novel RYR2 mutation. Treatment involved beta-blockers and lifestyle modification, but the patient's family insisted on a subcutaneous ICD against medical advice. Dr. Bayrak navigated this ethical dilemma through family counseling sessions.

A 28-year-old female professional freediver presented with episodes of near-syncope during deep dives. Dr. Bayrak discovered an unusually positioned patent foramen ovale that only became hemodynamically significant under extreme pressure changes. He coordinated with hyperbaric medicine specialists to simulate dive conditions during testing, then performed a percutaneous closure with a specialized occluder. The patient returned to competitive freediving six months later, setting a new national depth record.

A 72-year-old retired shipyard welder from a low-income neighborhood presented with progressive fatigue. He had been misdiagnosed with COPD for years. Dr. Bayrak identified constrictive pericarditis from historical asbestos exposure, confirmed via cardiac MRI showing classic 'tethered' ventricular motion. Surgical pericardiectomy was complicated by dense adhesions, requiring collaboration with thoracic surgery. The patient's recovery was slow but transformative—he could walk his granddaughter to school within four months.

A 41-year-old vegan ultra-marathon runner developed recurrent ventricular tachycardia during races. Dr. Bayrak diagnosed cardiac sarcoidosis after finding non-caseating granulomas via endomyocardial biopsy, despite normal chest imaging. Treatment involved immunosuppression with methotrexate and catheter ablation. The patient's running club created a support network, adjusting training schedules around medication cycles. He completed a 50-mile race one year post-diagnosis with continuous cardiac monitoring.