Pioneering heart surgery performed in Bern
A new type of heart procedure performed in Switzerland for the first time promises to reduce risks for older and more vulnerable patients.
A team of surgeons and cardiologists at Bern University hospital inserted an artificial valve into the hearts of two patients by passing through a small incision in the chest wall. Both patients are recovering well, a hospital statement said.
The minimally invasive keyhole technique is an alternative to open-heart surgery and is suitable for patients who are unfit for a major operation.
Doctors in Bern made the chest wall incision and passed through the rib cage behind the heart, where they inserted the valve.
Other recently developed keyhole techniques for this procedure involve accessing the heart through arteries in the groin and the hip.
In compliance with the JTI standards
More: SWI swissinfo.ch certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.