Experts from the Center of Cardiac Surgery at St. Petersburg State University Speak at the BRICS Municipal Forum

Experts from the Pirogov Clinic of High Medical Technologies at St. Petersburg State University participated as speakers at the 7th BRICS International Municipal Forum, held in Saint Petersburg. Within the session dedicated to public health, they presented a comprehensive vision of healthcare development focused on improving not only the quality of medical care but also overall quality of life.

During the round table “Innovative Technologies in Healthcare,” the Clinic’s Chief Medical Officer, Professor Alexander Gubin, delivered a keynote lecture titled “Do We Need a Patient-Friendly Clinic?”. He introduced the P.A.C.S. concept (Perception, Audit, Communication, Support) — an integrated healthcare model prioritizing patient safety, respect for dignity, efficient use of time for patients, families, and staff, and ethical communication. Professor Gubin emphasized that effective risk management — including medical, linguistic, and social factors — creates an environment where patients become partners in treatment rather than passive recipients of care.

The practical value of multidisciplinary decision-making in cardiac surgery was addressed by Professor Dmitry V. Shmatov, Deputy Chief Medical Officer for Cardiac Surgery. In his presentation, “Heart Team in Real Life: Necessity or Trend?”, he shared the experience of the Center of Cardiac Surgery and Interventional Cardiology, where complex cases are managed through coordinated collaboration between cardiac surgeons, cardiologists, electrophysiologists, and endovascular specialists. This approach enables the Center to treat the most challenging patients and maintain leading positions — second in Saint Petersburg and eleventh nationwide in open cardiac surgery volume.

Looking toward the technological future, cardiac surgeon and Associate Professor Gleb I. Kim presented Russia’s first artificial intelligence project in cardiac surgery — Expert Opinion AI. The system can analyze complex cardiac imaging data within minutes, providing critical decision support in situations of limited time and expertise, particularly during the first hours of acute coronary events when patient outcomes depend on rapid and accurate diagnostics. Already recognized by national government awards, the project clearly demonstrates that technology does not replace physicians but serves as a powerful clinical tool enhancing medical decision-making.

The experience presented by St. Petersburg State University at this international forum confirms that university-based medicine is not merely following global trends but actively shaping effective models for the healthcare systems of the future. Previously, the Clinic has also introduced digital services such as online physician consultations, remote monitoring of oncology patients, and post-mastectomy telemedicine support. All these initiatives are guided by a single goal: transforming even the most complex treatment pathways into safe, predictable, and humane journeys toward recovery.