First successful performed heart surgery in a child with a congenital heart defect using cardiopulmonary bypass was performed in Odessa in 2000. The development of children’s cardiac surgery has been reinforced by regional “Programme of development of children’s cardiac surgery in Odessa, 2001–2005”. Leadership strategy was aimed at enlisting a scientific medical staff. In the development of cardiac surgery the important role was played by the National Institute of Cardiovascular Surgery named after Amosov of NAMSU, Scientific and Practical Center of Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery of the MHU, leading specialists in Europe and the U.S.
