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This year marks the 50th anniversary of the first open heart surgery that was performed on the 15th of October in 1964 at Vilnius University Hospital Santariškės Clinic. To commemorate this event, Lithuania Post will release a postage stamp on October 11, Saturday.

The new stamp was designed by the artist Tomas Dragūnas. The nominal value of the stamp is LTL 2.80 or EUR 0.81. The stamp will be issued in the edition of 160 thousand.

Along with the stamp, the first day cover will be released. On Saturday, postal correspondence paid by the new stamp will be marked by the first day cancellation at Vilnius Main Post Office.

During the first open heart surgery performed in Lithuania on the 15th of October in 1964, the artificial blood circulation system was used. This event marks the emergence of modern cardiac surgery in Lithuania.

The operation was performed at the Heat Surgery Centre under the Vilnius University Hospital’s Santariškės Clinic. At present, the centre carries out about 1500 operations for adults, children, and even neonates. In terms of numbers, this is the leading centre in the Baltic.
Released October 10, 2014