Nearly 1,000 Experts Gather in Istanbul for Heart Health Conference

World's leading cardiovascular surgeons and 1,000 specialist participants gathered at a congress organized by the International Society for Minimally Invasive Cardiothoracic Surgery, where the future of cardiac surgery was discussed. At the congress, which drew attention for its high number of participants, alongside live surgical procedures, new scientific developments that will shape the future were also shared. Digital technologies and robotic methods with tissue sensation presented at the congress generated excitement.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. Approximately 20 million people die from cardiovascular disease each year globally. It is estimated that this figure will reach 23 million by 2030. This increase is progressing at the same rates in Turkey. To prevent rapid growth, various studies on prevention, diagnosis and treatment methods for heart disease are being conducted around the world. In the field of cardiac surgery, scientific research and new methods are being developed to increase diagnostic and treatment success in line with this direction. Scientific meetings are also being organized to share new information.

One of these meetings was held in Istanbul; renowned scientists and researchers from around the world attended the "25th ISMICS Scientific Congress" organized by the International Society for Minimally Invasive Cardiothoracic Surgery. Nearly 1,000 experts gathered at the congress, where developments in minimally invasive techniques and robotic surgery were discussed. Two different live surgical procedures performed at Acıbadem Altunizade Hospital and broadcast to the congress hall were followed with great interest by surgeons.

"The largest attended congress to date"
While evaluating the congress, Prof. Dr. Husam Balkhy, President of the International Society for Minimally Invasive Cardiothoracic Surgery, said: "Istanbul is a very beautiful city, a connection point between Asia and Europe. It is easy to reach here from everywhere in the world. This congress, which we organize every year, offers our colleagues working in different parts of the world an opportunity to learn, share experience, and see and learn new techniques. Another important point is that the papers presented at this congress will be published in our journal named 'Innovations,' which conveys innovations in cardiovascular surgery. We are pleased to have organized the largest attended congress to date."

Future digital and robotic cardiac surgery technology generated excitement
Prof. Dr. Balkhy, considered a pioneer in minimally invasive surgery worldwide, noted that leading technology representatives of the medical sector also introduced two new robots at the congress.
Emphasizing that it is very exciting to know that the newly developed robot in cardiac surgery will provide surgeons with a "sense of touch," Prof. Dr. Balkhy said: "I am someone who believes that robotic methods represent the future of surgery in cardiac surgery. The newly developed robot's ability to sense tissue and transmit this to the surgeon will truly be a major step in surgery. Thus, we will feel the tissue we previously saw on screen as if we were touching it with our hands. In addition to robotic surgery, there are other new technologies used during operations. We also became familiar with new technologies that bring digital solutions in operating rooms, intensive care units and similar environments."

"Robot-assisted methods increase treatment success in cardiac surgery"
ISMICS General Secretary and Congress Co-Chair Prof. Dr. Şahin Şenay, who is also Head of the Cardiovascular Surgery Department at Acıbadem University School of Medicine, said that two different live surgical procedures were performed from Acıbadem Altunizade Hospital Heart Health Center and were followed with great interest, and provided the following information about the congress and recent developments in cardiac surgery:

"Scientists are working hard to develop methods that will increase treatment success in cardiac surgery. An increasing number of patients are regaining their health with these methods. Robotic methods currently used have a wide range of applications, particularly in bypass surgery, valve surgery, cardiac tumors, treatment of some congenital diseases and surgical treatment of rhythm disorders. Robotic surgery offers many advantages to patients. The movement capability of robotic instruments during surgery is higher than that of the human wrist. This increases the safety of the procedure. Thanks to robot-assisted methods, we can perform surgeries with smaller incisions. The risk of bleeding decreases. The risk of infection after surgery decreases. Most importantly with these methods, the patient's return to normal life happens in a shorter time. The newly developed robots will contribute even more to the recovery process. Many factors play a role in the increase of heart disease, from nutrition to sedentary lifestyle. However, another noteworthy development is the aging of our population. Heart diseases are seen more frequently in an aging population, and this situation increases the need for new technologies such as robotic surgery due to its advantages."

Prof. Dr. Şahin Şenay, the first Turkish surgeon selected for the position of General Secretary of the International Society for Minimally Invasive Cardiothoracic Surgery for the 2026-2029 period, stated that the information and experience shared at scientific meetings is an important factor that increases diagnostic and treatment success in patients. Pointing out that technological developments bring effective and innovative solutions not only alongside surgical interventions but also in overall medical care processes, Prof. Dr. Şenay said: "As a country, it is very important to be part of this technology. However, it is not just about using these new technology products, but we should continue to conduct scientific studies to contribute to their development."

Two awards for Acıbadem University
Dr. Zeynep Sıla Özcan, Coordinator of the Cardiovascular Surgery Research Group at Acıbadem University School of Medicine, who served on the ISMICS 2025 Organizing Committee, stated that they received two awards in the scientific studies presented at the congress, saying: "As the Acıbadem University Cardiovascular Surgery Research Group, we received awards with two studies, one on robotic bypass and valve surgery and the other aimed at making robotic surgeries safer. These award-winning studies conducted by Assoc. Prof. Murat Baştopçu and Assoc. Prof. İbrahim Gökçe are also gratifying for Turkish medicine."