Assoc. Prof. M.D. Murat Tümüklü

My 8-year-old son, Ali, suddenly started complaining of chest pain during football practice. As a terrified parent, we rushed to Acibadem Izmir. Dr. Murat Tümüklü was incredibly calm and gentle. He didn't just dismiss it as 'growing pains' like others might. He performed a pediatric echocardiogram himself, explaining everything to Ali in a way that made him feel like a brave explorer. He diagnosed a minor, benign mitral valve prolapse—nothing serious, but he gave us a full management plan and even drew Ali a picture of his 'special heart'. His approach turned a scary situation into a learning experience. We are so grateful for his patience and the way he treats children as intelligent individuals.

I am a 74-year-old retired mariner with a complex history of atrial fibrillation and two previous stents. My case was like a tangled fishing net. I came to Dr. Tümüklü for a second opinion regarding a new arrhythmia. He spent over an hour in consultation, not just looking at the latest charts, but reviewing my entire 20-year cardiac history. He identified a medication interaction that three other cardiologists had missed. His solution wasn't another pill or procedure immediately; it was a carefully phased adjustment of my existing regimen. For the first time in years, I feel stable without feeling over-medicated. He listens to the whole story, not just the heartbeat.

It was a routine check-up that turned critical. During a standard stress test for my annual executive health screening, Dr. Tümüklü noticed a subtle, inconsistent anomaly that everyone else would have likely overlooked. His demeanor changed instantly from conversational to intensely focused. He calmly but firmly insisted on an immediate coronary angiogram, despite my having no classic symptoms. The angiography revealed a 90% blockage in my LAD—a 'widow-maker'. He performed a flawless primary PCI right then. He wasn't just a doctor doing a check-up; he was a detective who averted a catastrophe. He saved my life in a conference room, not an ER.

Following a complex aortic valve replacement surgery performed by Dr. Tümüklü six months ago, my follow-up visits are unlike any medical appointment I've ever had. He doesn't just check the surgical site and scans. He asks about my energy while gardening, my sleep patterns, and even my mood. Last visit, he noticed a slight hesitation in my voice when he asked about returning to swimming. Instead of brushing it off, he investigated and found a minor, non-cardiac muscular issue related to recovery and referred me to the perfect physiotherapist. His follow-up care is holistic; he treats the person who has the heart, not just the heart he repaired. It's comprehensive healing.