Nizhny Novgorod surgeons performed heart surgery using liquid nitrogen.

      July 26, 2025, 12:05

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      Nizhny Novgorod radiology surgeons from the Privolzhsky Regional Medical Center of FMBA Russia have implemented a high-tech method of treating atrial fibrillation using extreme cold. This was reported by the editor-in-chief of MIА "Stationary-Press," Alexey Nikonov, on his Telegram channel.

      The method involves cryoablation using a balloon, where areas of heart tissue causing rhythm disturbances are literally frozen with liquid nitrogen. The technique allows for the removal of pathological foci without opening the chest cavity.

      Atrial fibrillation is a severe heart rhythm disorder that can last from several hours to several days. Attacks are accompanied by shortness of breath, general weakness, and rapid heartbeat. In some cases, the patient's condition becomes critical.

      During the procedure, a cryoballoon is inserted into the heart through the femoral vein. It inflates, temporarily blocking blood flow between the pulmonary vein and the left atrium. Then, within four minutes, the balloon is filled with liquid nitrogen. The internal temperature reaches −47 to −67 degrees Celsius, causing tissues conducting pathological impulses to scar and stop disrupting the heart rhythm.

      Patients begin to feel the first improvements about 20 minutes after the procedure is completed.

      X-ray surgeon Sergey Aivazyan from POMC shared his experience of performing cryoablation with colleagues from Kirov.

      It was previously reported that Nizhny Novgorod cardiologists saved an infant with a rare heart defect.

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