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Italy: 2-Year-Old at Risk of Death Due to Wrong Heart Transplant Preservation

Published February 12, 2026, 14:18
Italy: 2-Year-Old at Risk of Death Due to Wrong Heart Transplant Preservation

A serious medical error in Italy is endangering the life of a 2-year-old child who underwent a heart transplant. Instead of ice, dry ice was used to preserve the organ during transport from Bolzano to Naples, which damaged it. Despite the error, the transplant was performed, but the child is in a pharmacological coma and his mother is urgently requesting a new graft. The child's condition is critical, with serious problems also in the liver. Two prosecutorial investigations are underway to determine how the error occurred and why the damaged heart was used. Two doctors from the Monaldi hospital have been temporarily suspended from their duties. The incident has caused great concern in Italy and raises questions about the safety of transplants and adherence to protocols.