A unique cardiac procedure has been successfully carried out in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, marking a major step forward in the country’s medical capabilities.

Specialists at the “Bicard” clinic, led by cardiac surgeon Asan Nazarov, performed a transcatheter mitral valve replacement-a modern technique used to treat severe heart conditions, The Caspian Post reports via Kyrgyz media.

Unlike traditional open-heart surgery, the new method delivers a replacement valve directly to the heart through a small blood vessel puncture. This means there is no need to stop the heart or open the chest, significantly reducing surgical risk and recovery time.

Doctors say the successful operation shows that patients suffering from chronic heart valve disease may no longer need to travel abroad for treatment, as advanced procedures are now becoming available locally.

Medical experts view the breakthrough as an important milestone for the country’s healthcare system, opening the door to more high-tech cardiac treatments in the future.