Prim Mladen Kočica MD, PhD

mladen kocica

Prim Mladen Kočica MD, PhD

Cardiac Surgeon (Prim PhD)

Specific professional orientation:

Doctor Mladen Kočica is a specialist in general surgery, subspecialist in cardiac surgery, and the founder of the Serbian Association for Cardiothoracic Surgery. He has performed over 7000 different (elective and urgent) cardiac surgeries in adults, as well as vascular surgeries and thymectomies, with a special focus on reconstructive surgery of the cardiac muscle in ischemic heart disease. He is a member of domestic and international medical, cardiothoracic surgical, and cardiovascular associations, with a significant number of publications, reviews, and awards in his career.

Doctor Kočica’s specific professional interests include:

Mechanical circulatory support, Heart transplant surgery, Heart tumor surgery, Pericardial surgery, Complex and combined heart surgery, Valvular heart disease surgery, Coronary artery bypass surgery, Surgical ventricular restoration, TriSVR, Acute aortic dissection type A.

Education:

  • 2015 – Subspecialist in Cardiac Surgery. Medical School, University of Belgrade, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Serbia.
  • 2015 – PhD degree. Doctoral dissertation: “The Helical Ventricular Myocardial Band of Torrent-Guasp as the Basis for the Surgical Treatment of Post-infarction Remodelled Left Ventricle”
  • 2014 – Master Course in Reconstructive Valvular Surgery. Monaco Cardio-Thoracic Centre.
  • 2008 – Basic Life Support (BLS) and Intermediate Life Support (ILS) Instructor. European Resuscitation Council.
  • 2005 – MSc degree study and final exam. Vascular surgery and angiology – Medical School, University of Belgrade.
  • 2001 – Specialist in General Surgery. Medical School, University of Belgrade, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Serbia.
  • 1996 – Doctor General Practitioner. Ministry of Health and Welfare, Serbia.
  • 1995 – Diploma and MD Certificate. Medical School, University of Belgrade, Serbia.

 

Job:

  • – Clinic for Cardiac Surgery, UC Clinical Centre of Serbia: Deputy Director.
  • – Clinic for Cardiac Surgery, UC Clinical Centre of Serbia: Subspecialist, Consultant Cardiac Surgeon;
  • – UC Clinical Centre of Serbia: Vice-president of Health Professional Council;
  • – CBC Bezanijska Kosa: Executive Board Member;
  • – 2014. – Clinic for Cardiac Surgery, UC Clinical Centre of Serbia: Deputy Director;
  • – 2012. – Clinic for Cardiac Surgery, UC Clinical Centre of Serbia: Head of Scientific Research and Education Department;
  • – Clinic for Cardiac Surgery, UC Clinical Centre of Serbia: Attending Surgeon;
  • – 2001. – Clinic for Cardiac Surgery, UC Clinical Centre of Serbia: Residency in General Surgery.
  • -1996. – Clinic for Cardiac Surgery, UC Clinical Centre of Serbia: General Internship.

 

Skills:

1995 – onward – Preformed more than 7000 different and case mixed, elective and urgent, adult cardiac surgical procedures, vascular surgical procedures and thymectomies, with special focus on ventricular restorative surgery for ischemic heart disease (modified Dor’s procedure and other) and surgery of type A acute aortic dissections.

Mechanical circulatory support Heart transplant surgery Heart tumor surgery Pericardial surgery

Complex and combined heart surgery Valvular heart disease surgery Coronary artery bypass surgery Surgical ventricular restoration TriSVR Acute aortic dissection type A

 

Reserach:

2001-2004 – Research in the laboratory of Prof. Francisco Torrent-Guasp, Denia, Spain. Anatomical dissections of the HVMB. The new concept of heart structure and function. Clinical implications. HVMB research projects development. University General Hospital Valencia, Department of Cardiac Surgery – Prof. Anastasio Montero. Surgical Ventricular Restoration. Hospital La Fe, Valencia – Prof. Juan Cosin Aguilar. Experimental work on sonomicrometric analyses of electromechanical sequences within the ventricular myocardium.

2002 – onward – Four Cardiovascular Research Projects Granted by Government of the Republic of Serbia – Ministry of Science Technology and Development.

2002 – onward – Cardiovascular Research within Serbian Academy of Science and Arts – Section of Medical Sciences, The Board for Cardiovascular Pathology.

 

Publications:

ORCID  list of publications.

Complete list of publications (books and papers), presentations and scientific activities available upon request.

 

Editorial and peer-reviewing activities:

2022 – Guest Editor – Special Issue, Journal of Cardiovascular Development and Disease (JCDD)

2022 – Editorial Board Member – Congenital Heart Disease (CHD)

  • 2021 – European Heart Journal
  • 2020 – Yonsei Medical Journal
  • 2020 – Biomolecules
  • 2020 – Life
  • 2020 – Diseases
  • 2019 – Membranes
  • 2019 – Case Reports in Vascular Medicine
  • 2019 – Acta Clinica Croatica
  • 2018 – Interactive Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery
  • 2009 – Serbian Medical Journal
  • 2007 – Journal of Biomechanics
  • 2007 – Medical Science Monitor
  • 2006 – Anatomical Record
  • 2005 – Annals of Thoracic Surgery
  • 2004 – European Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery

 

Membership:

  • European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery – Member;
  • European Society for Cardiology – Member of WG for Cardiovascular Surgery;
  • The European Registry for Patients with Mechanical Circulatory Support – EUROMACS – Member;
  • Serbian Academy for Science and Arts – The Board for Cardiovascular Pathology – Member;
  • European Society of Cardiovascular Surgery – Member;
  • Scandinavian Society for Research in Cardiothoracic Surgery– Member;
  • Serbian Association for Cardiac Surgery – Founder;
  • Serbian Society for Cardiovascular Surgeons – Secretary- General;
  • Society for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery of Serbia and Montenegro – Member;
  • National Physician Society – Surgical Section – Member;

 

Awards:

2016. – Annual Award for the best doctoral dissertation at UC Belgrade in 2014/2015; Belgrade Chamber of Commerce
2016. – “St. Archangel Gabriel Medal” for the achievements in medicine and cardiac surgery. The municipality of Arandjelovac.
2012. – Serbian Medical Society Letter of Appreciation for overall professional and scientific contributions. Serbian Medical Society.
2011. –Plaque for the contributions in scientific and research activities. Serbian Academy of Science and Arts.

 

Hobbies:

Football, Painting, Music