A pioneering interventional cardiology procedure for Central Greece was successfully performed at IASO Thessalias, further strengthening the hospital’s position at the forefront of advanced cardiovascular care. The procedure involved the percutaneous closure of an atrial septal defect (ASD), one of the most common congenital heart conditions, and was carried out for the first time in the region exclusively at IASO Thessalias. 

The intervention was led by Nikos Maggoutis, MD, MSc, PhD, Interventional Cardiologist, Director and Scientific Head of the Hemodynamics Laboratory, together with a highly specialized multidisciplinary team. The procedure was performed in the hospital’s state-of-the-art catheterization laboratory, utilizing advanced imaging and interventional technologies. 

Percutaneous ASD closure is a minimally invasive technique that allows correction of the defect without open-heart surgery. Through a catheter inserted via a blood vessel, a specially designed occlusion device is positioned to close the opening between the heart’s atria, offering patients faster recovery, shorter hospitalization and excellent clinical outcomes. 

This milestone highlights the high level of expertise, collaboration and technological infrastructure available at IASO Thessalias, enabling patients in Central Greece to access advanced cardiovascular treatments close to home.