Krasnoyarsk's heart surgery revolution cuts risks and speeds recovery

The Federal Cardiology Center in Krasnoyarsk has made major strides in heart surgery over the past year. Doctors there are now using advanced, minimally invasive techniques to treat complex conditions without the need for open operations. These innovations have already helped thousands of patients recover faster and with fewer risks.

In 2024, the centre's specialists began using endovascular methods to reinforce weakened aortas in aneurysm cases. Instead of major surgery, they insert a stent-graft through blood vessels, reducing recovery time and complications. The same approach has transformed aortic valve replacements, which tripled in number last year—86 procedures were performed in 2025 alone.

For patients with mitral valve regurgitation, a difficult-to-treat condition, the centre now offers a catheter-based solution. A small clip, called the MitraClip, is implanted to repair the valve, allowing even severely ill patients to return to active lives. The team also uses a brain protection system during these operations to improve safety.

Gone are the days of large incisions for valve replacements. Surgeons now work through tiny punctures, cutting down on pain and hospital stays. Last year, the centre treated 9,394 inpatients, many benefiting from these newer, less invasive methods.

The shift to minimally invasive heart surgery in Krasnoyarsk means faster recoveries and better outcomes for patients. With techniques like stent-grafts and the MitraClip, more people with serious heart conditions can now avoid major operations. The centre's work shows how modern medicine is changing lives—one small puncture at a time.