site.btaFirst Heart Transplant of 2025 Performed at St. Ekaterina Hospital in Sofia

The first heart transplant of 2025 was performed at the St. Ekaterina University Hospital in Sofia after a Bulgarian patient received a heart from a donor from Romania, the Health Ministry said in a press release on Friday. The transplant was carried out by a team led by Prof. Dimitar Petkov.

According to the hospital, the recipient, a 42-year-old man, is in stable condition and remains under observation in the intensive care unit. The donor was a 31-year-old Romanian citizen, and the organ was provided through a cooperation agreement between Bulgaria and Romania.

Information about the availability of a suitable heart for transplant was received by the Executive Agency Medical Supervision on Thursday morning.

Bulgaria’s Health Ministry extends condolences to the donor’s family and expresses gratitude and respect for their noble decision made during such a difficult time.