From July 31 to August 14, 2025, the Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Center of the National Scientific Medical Center (NSMC) in Astana hosted an international master class titled: “Modern Technologies and Reconstructive Methods in the Correction of Critical Congenital Heart Defects and Valve Pathologies in Newborns and Young Children.
The program was led by Professor Igor Konstantinov, a world-famous cardiothoracic surgeon at the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne (Australia), MD, PhD, Director of the Center for Cardiovascular Genomics and Regenerative Medicine, and Senior Research Fellow at the University of Melbourne.
Kazakhstani specialists pediatric cardiac surgeons, anesthesiologists, and interventional radiologists – worked alongside Professor Konstantinov, mastering advanced surgical techniques and exchanging experience in treating complex clinical cases.
Within the framework of the master class, 16 highly complex pediatric heart surgeries were successfully performed, including: reconstructive interventions on the mitral, tricuspid, and aortic valves, correction of Ebstein’s anomaly,
surgeries for hypoplastic left heart syndrome, Norwood and Fontan procedures.
For the first time in the world – a new septal leaflet of the tricuspid valve was created from the patient’s own atrial tissue in Ebstein’s anomaly. For the first time in Kazakhstan – successful aortic valve reconstruction using native tissue and stabilization with a vascular prosthesis was performed.
Contribution to Kazakhstani Medicine
The master class included clinical discussions, training seminars, and hands-on sessions, making a significant contribution to the advancement of pediatric cardiac surgery in Kazakhstan.During the visit, NSMC Chairman Abai Kabatayevich awarded Professor Igor Konstantinov the title of Honorary Professor of the National Scientific Medical Center for his outstanding contribution to medical science and practice in Kazakhstan.
