Assoc. Prof. M.D. Hakan Hasdemir

My 7-year-old son, Leo, was diagnosed with a rare congenital heart defect after a school sports physical revealed an unusual murmur. Other cardiologists spoke in complex medical terms that left us terrified. Dr. Hasdemir was different. He knelt to Leo's eye level, showed him animated diagrams on his tablet explaining how hearts work, and called it 'a special wiring project.' He scheduled the minimally invasive procedure at Acibadem Atakent with such calm precision. The day of, he drew a small superhero emblem on Leo's hospital gown. The surgery was flawless. At our last follow-up, Leo presented him with a drawing titled 'Dr. Hakan Fixing My Engine.' Dr. Hasdemir didn't just treat a patient; he cared for a child's spirit. We are forever grateful.

As a 78-year-old retired engineer with a history of hypertension, I considered my annual check-up a formality. During my routine visit, Dr. Hasdemir wasn't satisfied with my slightly elevated but 'stable' numbers. He ordered a specific, advanced stress echocardiogram he said would give a clearer picture of coronary flow. I thought it was overkill. The results revealed a critical, 90% blockage in my LAD artery—the 'widowmaker.' He explained the mechanics of the blockage with the clarity of a master teacher, showing me the images side-by-side. His urgent yet composed coordination for an immediate angioplasty at the hospital was like watching a master conductor. He didn't just follow protocol; he listened to the subtle whispers of my heart that others missed. He literally saved my life during a 'routine' appointment.

I was a tourist from Norway, hiking near Istanbul when a crushing chest pain struck. Rushed to Acibadem Atakent's ER, I was terrified and alone. Dr. Hasdemir was the on-call cardiologist. He diagnosed a spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD), a rare and dangerous condition. His English was impeccable, and his demeanor was a fortress of calm in my storm of panic. He explained the fragile tear in my artery using the analogy of a frayed rope, outlining why a conservative, medication-based approach was safer for me than immediate stenting. He personally checked on me every few hours, even late at night. His expertise in navigating this complex, non-standard emergency was astounding. He turned a potential tragedy abroad into a story of incredible, compassionate care. I owe him my life.

For years, I managed my atrial fibrillation with medication, but the episodes became more frequent and debilitating. As a 52-year-old chef, the fatigue was ruining my life. Dr. Hasdemir proposed a catheter ablation, but my case was complex due to unusual cardiac anatomy noted on my scans. He didn't rush. He spent an hour with me and my wife, mapping out the procedure on a 3D heart model, openly discussing the higher complexity and his tailored plan to navigate it. The surgery itself took longer than usual, but his team kept us updated. His follow-up has been meticulous—not just EKGs, but adjusting lifestyle factors specific to my stressful profession. It's been 8 months, and I'm in normal rhythm. He approached my heart not as a standard puzzle, but as a unique landscape he took the time to learn perfectly before journeying through it.