Surgeon recounts efforts to save Zoran Đinđić after assassination

Cardio surgeon Professor Miljko Ristić has shared details regarding the medical efforts to save Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Đinđić following his assassination on March 12, 2003. Ristić described the emergency call he received around 12:30 AM, which led him to the Clinical Center of Serbia.

Upon arrival, the surgeon noted the severity of the situation, describing the Prime Minister as extremely pale and already intubated. During surgery, the medical team discovered a six-centimeter wound in the heart caused by a special bullet, resulting in massive blood loss. Ristić noted that the medical team was aware of the slim chances of survival, as the brain's lack of blood for even five minutes makes recovery nearly impossible. The time elapsed from the initial injury to hospital admission was approximately 40 minutes.