Prof. M.D. Gül Sağın Saylam

Our 72-year-old father, Mehmet, was referred to Dr. Saylam after his GP detected a concerning murmur during a routine check-up for his diabetes. We were initially confused—why a pediatric cardiologist for an elderly man? Dr. Saylam explained with remarkable patience that his condition was a congenital heart defect (an atrial septal defect) that had gone undiagnosed his entire life and was now causing complications. She coordinated a unique, minimally invasive closure procedure at Acıbadem Kozyatağı, treating him not as an anomaly but with the same meticulous care she gives children. Her ability to bridge pediatric expertise to adult congenital heart disease was astounding. Our father calls her 'the detective doctor who found the secret in my heart.' His energy levels have transformed.

When our 3-day-old newborn, Elif, turned blue during feeding, our world shattered. Rushed to Acıbadem Kozyatağı's ER in the middle of the night, we were met by Dr. Gül Sağın Saylam, who had been called in urgently. She diagnosed a critical coarctation of the aorta within minutes using bedside echocardiography. What followed was a blur, but her calm, directive presence was our anchor. She didn't just talk to us; she knelt to our eye level, used a stuffed bear to show where the 'narrow path' was in Elif's heart, and held my hand while explaining the emergency surgery. She followed Elif into the OR to guide the surgical team. Two years later, at a follow-up, Elif ran into her clinic room. Dr. Saylam remembered the exact weight Elif was at diagnosis. She doesn't just treat hearts; she mends families.

As expats from Germany, we sought a second opinion for our 8-year-old son Leo's complex arrhythmia. His case file was thick. Dr. Saylam spent our first 90-minute consultation not looking at the file, but at Leo. She asked him about his football dreams, then used a 3D heart model on her tablet to let him 'drive' through his own cardiac conduction system. She identified a subtle accessory pathway others had missed and proposed a tailored catheter ablation plan. Her approach was a fusion of profound science and profound humanity. The procedure was a success. Her follow-up protocol included video calls where Leo could show her his football medals. She didn't just fix a circuit; she restored a childhood.

Our 14-year-old daughter, Zeynep, a competitive swimmer, was disqualified during a pre-season cardiac screening due to 'borderline' ECG readings. Multiple doctors gave vague, worrying advice. Dr. Saylam conducted the most comprehensive assessment we've ever seen: a stress echocardiogram, a 48-hour Holter monitor worn during swim practice, and a genetic consultation. She concluded Zeynep had a benign, athlete's heart variant. But she didn't stop there. She drafted a detailed 'Sports Cardiology Clearance' letter for the federation, explaining the science in layman's terms, and held a conference call with Zeynep's coach. Her verdict: 'Your heart is strong. Go break records.' The relief was tidal. She protects healthy hearts with the same vigor she uses to repair sick ones.