Russian Hospital Pioneers Life-Saving Heart Surgeries with Human Tissue Valves

A specialized cardiothoracic hospital in Nizhny Novgorod is now performing advanced heart surgeries using homografts—valves made from donated human tissue. The procedures, including a recent Ross operation on an 18-year-old, mark a significant step in expanding access to high-tech cardiac care outside Moscow and St. Petersburg. Two more complex surgeries are already planned for adult patients later this week.

On February 18, surgeons at the hospital carried out a Ross procedure on an 18-year-old patient. This technique involves replacing a faulty aortic valve with the patient's own pulmonary valve, then implanting a homograft to take its place. The procedure was overseen by Vladimir Bolsunovsky, the chief pediatric cardiac surgeon of Leningrad Oblast, who has guided the hospital's adoption of these methods.

The homografts themselves are produced in a St. Petersburg laboratory with 25 years of experience. Donated heart and vascular tissue is processed into valves ranging from 5 to 36 mm, making them suitable for both newborns and adults. Their key advantage is better compatibility, reducing rejection risks and eliminating the need for lifelong blood thinners.

Two additional surgeries are scheduled for February 19. One will address a critically dilated ascending aorta, while the other is an emergency operation for a patient with a severe infection. To support these procedures, the hospital has upgraded its facilities with modern diagnostic tools and a high-tech operating suite as part of the Health Quarter initiative.

Expanding access to homograft surgeries requires hospitals to install specialized cold-storage systems for batch deliveries. Currently, these procedures are mostly limited to major cardiac centers in Moscow and St. Petersburg, with only a handful of other cities offering them. The push to broaden availability aligns with the Long and Active Life national project, which aims to improve advanced medical care across Russia.

The hospital's new capabilities allow more patients to receive life-saving homograft surgeries without traveling to Moscow or St. Petersburg. With further upgrades and training, similar procedures could become available in additional regions. The next two operations on February 19 will test the team's readiness to handle both planned and emergency cases using this technology.