Patient Experience
My 8-year-old son, Leo, was diagnosed with a rare congenital heart murmur during a school screening. We were terrified. Dr. Seden Erten Çelik at Acibadem Maslak was a revelation. She didn't just talk to us; she got down on the floor with Leo, showed him a model of a heart, and explained his 'special, extra whooshing sound' in a way that made him feel like a superhero, not a patient. Her approach was so gentle yet thorough. The follow-up echocardiogram was handled with such care, and her reassurance that it was just something to watch, not to fear, lifted a weight we didn't know we were carrying. She treated our child with immense respect. We are so grateful.
As a 72-year-old retired engineer, I appreciate precision and clarity. My routine checkup with Dr. Çelik turned into something more when she detected a subtle irregularity in my ECG that others had missed. She didn't alarm me; she presented the data like a puzzle. 'Mr. Ahmet, your heart's electrical circuit has developed a minor, intermittent short circuit,' she explained, drawing a clear diagram. Her recommendation for a catheter ablation at Acibadem Maslak was backed by statistics and a step-by-step plan. The procedure itself was flawless. Three months later, my rhythm is perfect. Her technical expertise is matched only by her ability to communicate complex cardiology in an understandable way. A true master of her craft.
It was a Tuesday evening, and I felt a crushing pressure in my chest that radiated down my arm. Rushed to Acibadem Maslak's ER, I was met by Dr. Çelik, who was on call. Her demeanor was instantly calming yet fiercely efficient. In what felt like seconds, she confirmed a significant anterior STEMI—a major heart attack. She looked me straight in the eye, her voice steady and firm: 'We need to open that artery now. You are in the right place.' The emergency angioplasty she performed was a blur, but her decisive command of the cath lab team was unforgettable. She saved my life that night, and her follow-up care has been incredibly diligent, focusing not just on the stent but on my anxiety and lifestyle. She is my guardian angel in a white coat.
My case was complex: a failing aortic valve combined with an ascending aortic aneurysm. Several opinions left me confused. Dr. Çelik's consultation was different. She spent over an hour reviewing my images, not just telling me what needed to be done, but explaining the 'why' behind two possible surgical approaches—a mechanical valve or a Ross procedure. She outlined the pros and cons for my specific age (45) and active lifestyle with a detailed, personalized risk-benefit analysis I hadn't received elsewhere. She coordinated seamlessly with the cardiac surgeons at Maslak, acting as my quarterback throughout the entire process. The Ross procedure was a success. Her role wasn't just diagnostic; she was the architect of my entire care pathway. Unparalleled depth and coordination.