Student Research Society of Cardiac Surgery at St. Petersburg State University

The Student Research Society of the Department of Cardiac Surgery at St. Petersburg State University Medical Institute, established at the Pirogov Clinic of High Medical Technologies at St. Petersburg State University, continues to develop actively, attracting talented medical students and residents aspiring to become highly qualified cardiovascular surgeons.

The Department and the Student Research Society are led by Deputy Chief Medical Officer for Cardiac Surgery, Professor, MD, PhD, cardiovascular surgeon Dmitry V. Shmatov. Teaching and academic supervision are provided by the Head of the Cardiac Surgery Department, as well as experienced cardiovascular surgeons and faculty members of the Clinic.

Monthly meetings of the Society bring together 10 to 20 students who gain in-depth knowledge of modern diagnostic and surgical approaches to cardiovascular diseases. The educational process combines theoretical learning with exposure to real clinical practice, including discussions of actual clinical cases from everyday medical work.

One of the most notable sessions this year focused on the surgical treatment of valvular heart disease. The lecture covered mitral and aortic valve pathology, contemporary techniques of valve repair and replacement, and criteria for valve-sparing surgery. Participants were also introduced to the historical evolution of heart valve prosthetics.

Recent meetings addressed a broad range of topics, including strategies for managing aortic aneurysms, advances in arrhythmology, and surgical treatment of ischemic heart disease. Special attention was given to congenital heart defects as a promising field for future professional development, despite the Clinic’s focus on adult cardiac surgery.

The educational format developed by the Clinic’s physicians emphasizes close integration of theory and practice, allowing students to simultaneously deepen their academic knowledge and refine practical surgical skills.

Each scientific session follows a structured program featuring presentations of varying complexity on a single relevant topic. Introductory lectures are delivered by junior students, advanced reports by senior students and residents, and the final presentation is given by a supervising physician who synthesizes the material and shares clinical expertise.

Highly motivated participants are offered an extended practical training program, including the opportunity to spend a “day with a cardiac surgeon,” from morning briefings to evening rounds. Students observe surgical procedures, dressings, and physician-patient interactions, gaining first-hand insight into departmental workflow and specialized clinical practice.

To further develop manual surgical skills, regular hands-on training sessions are conducted using specialized simulators based on porcine heart models. Participants are provided with full sets of instruments and materials to practice surgical techniques under the guidance of experienced mentors.

The effectiveness of resident training is reflected in their active participation in scientific conferences, where presentations on valve-sparing mitral surgery and complex valve pathology have received high professional recognition.

This comprehensive educational approach, combining academic knowledge with practical experience, creates a strong foundation for training the next generation of cardiovascular surgeons and contributes to improving the quality of cardiac surgical care.