Surgery has been completed on the youngest-ever Russian to have a heart implant. The 17-year-old suffering from an enlarged heart received the lifesaving treatment at the world's largest cardiology hospital in Moscow.

The boy’s heart was too big, so the muscles were too weak to pump blood round his teenage body. Anton’s chances for living were slim. His only option was to have major heart surgery at the tender age of 17 – the youngest to have a heart implant in Russia.

The operation was performed using state-of-the-art technology designed by NASA that has been saving hundreds of lives elsewhere in the world.

“It is the space technology. The design of  part of the pump is based on the booster pumps of the shuttle main rocket engines. So it really is based on NASA technology,” Robert Benkovski from Micromed Cardiovascular, says.    

The cost of this kind of surgery is significant. Professor Leo Bokereia, the consultant for Anton's operation, feels strongly that it's something which should be available to all – regardless of their wealth.

“Money is coming into this area, which it’s very expensive. And we also have hope that we will be increasing our budget and that will stimulate heart transplantation,” he said.   

This is one of the success stories at the world famous Bakulev Cardiology Centre in Moscow. Babies born with heart defects will be going home having every chance to lead a normal healthy life. Other patients are waiting for surgery.

Although the operation on Anton was successful, of course, there are still risks. Doctors say Anton has a better than 50% chance of living. The new implant could be with him for life, but everyone is hoping that a donor heart can be found in as little as the next six months.