The year 2026 marks five years of operation for the Cardiac Innovation Center at Apolloneio Private Hospital. From the time it began operations in July 2021 until today, the Center’s team has performed more than 1,700 cardiac surgeries, offering modern and specialized treatment solutions to infants, children, and adults, covering the full spectrum of heart conditions. In just five years of operation, the Cardiac Innovation Center has established itself as the most specialized and largest cardiac surgery center and as a leading institution for cardiac surgery in Cyprus.

Over the course of its five years of operation, the Cardiac Innovation Center has gained significant experience across the full spectrum of modern cardiac surgery, having performed more than 500 coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) procedures, over 700 procedures on all heart valves, of which approximately 450 were isolated heart valve procedures and approximately 250 were combined procedures (i.e., in combination with other valves, bypass, aorta, etc.), more than 300 aortic procedures—both standalone and combined—more than 250 procedures for congenital heart defects in children and adults, as well as dozens of other specialized procedures for rarer conditions such as removal of cardiac tumors, treatment of left ventricular aneurysms, treatment of HOCM, etc.

Over the past five years, the Center has systematically invested in innovation, pioneering the application of modern and minimally invasive cardiac surgical techniques in Cyprus. The Cardiac Innovation Center has established the use of minimally invasive surgical methods (endoscopic or thoracoscopic procedures) for conditions affecting all four heart valves (mitral, aortic, tricuspid, and pulmonary), for the treatment of coronary artery disease (MIDCAB), as well as for selected congenital heart defects and cardiac tumors. These techniques offer smaller incisions, less postoperative pain, faster mobilization, and a quicker return to daily life for patients, while maintaining the highest standards of safety and quality.

Furthermore, the Cardiac Innovation Center is the only specialized center in Cyprus that offers comprehensive surgical treatment for congenital heart defects in both children and adults.

In collaboration with the hospital’s cardiology and pediatric cardiology teams, it also offers comprehensive, state-of-the-art catheter-based treatment for all heart conditions across all age groups.

The Cardiac Innovation Center is a pioneer in the wider region, publishing its exceptional surgical outcomes, which (Cardiac Innovation Center) are comparable to or even better than those of major centers abroad, with a very low mortality rate. Transparency in healthcare services is a top priority for our center.

The Center’s success is also based on the high level of expertise of its medical team, which consists of healthcare professionals with many years of training and experience at recognized centers abroad, particularly in Germany. This international experience, combined with ongoing scientific activity, research, and publications in international scientific journals, enables the Center to implement modern and innovative therapeutic approaches for the benefit of its patients.

But beyond technology and innovation, what sets the Cardiac Innovation Center apart is its human-centered approach to each patient. From the first visit through to full recovery, the Center’s team stands by patients and their families with respect, sincerity, and care. The Center’s philosophy is based on the belief that behind every case there is a person, a family, and a story that deserves the same care and attention we would offer to our own loved ones

Behind every procedure lies a unique story. A family that has found hope again. A child who has gained a healthy future. A person who has returned to their daily life. These stories are the greatest reward for the Cardiac Innovation Center team and the driving force behind its continued growth.

To mark its fifth anniversary, the Cardiac Innovation Center recently opened its doors to the public through a special Open Day event, giving visitors the opportunity to get an up-close look at the world of modern cardiac surgery, the people behind patient care, and the technologies shaping the future of cardiac surgery.

The Director of the Cardiac Innovation Center, Dr. Ioannis Tzanavaros, stated:

“Five years ago, we set out with a clear vision: to create a center that would provide high-quality cardiac surgical care, with a patient-centered approach and a continuous commitment to innovation. Today, more than 1,700 surgeries and thousands of life stories fill us with pride but also with a sense of responsibility to continue evolving. Our greatest success is the trust our patients place in us and the fact that we treat every person who walks through the Center’s doors with the same care, attention, and responsibility we would show to our own loved ones.”

As the Cardiac Innovation Center enters its sixth year of operation, it continues with the same commitment that has defined it from day one: to invest in innovation, scientific advancement, and, above all, in people.

5 Years in Numbers

• 1,700+ cardiac surgeries
• Pioneering minimally invasive cardiac surgery
• Surgery for congenital heart defects in children and adults
• Scientific research and international publications
• Multidisciplinary team of specialists
• Thousands of life stories