A tragic situation unfolded when a heart intended for a two-year-old child, after being deemed a potential lifeline, was revealed to be unusable. The heart, sourced from Bolzano following the death of a four-year-old, was expected to bring hope to the family, but it was found to be damaged upon arrival. Medical staff discovered that instead of using standard ice for preservation, dry ice, typically used in ice cream production, had been employed inappropriately, leading to severe thermal damage to the organ

As a result of this gross negligence, the medical team proceeded with the surgery despite the damaged heart, which unfortunately left the child requiring life support in the Intensive Cardiac Surgery unit of the hospital in Naples. The child, who had been in care at this medical facility, now faces an uncertain future as health professionals scramble to rectify the situation.

The incident has incited public outcry and prompted serious ethical questions regarding medical practices, ultimately leading to the suspension of two doctors involved in the case. Three investigations have been opened to determine the extent of the negligence and how such a catastrophic error could occur under the watch of trained medical professionals.