The International Society for Minimally Invasive Cardiothoracic Surgery (ISMICS) was founded on May 31, 1997, when participants of the World Congress of Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery convened at the Palais des Congrès in Paris, France. From its earliest days, ISMICS brought together surgical centers and practitioners from every continent united by a common goal: better outcomes for patients through less invasive approaches to heart and chest surgery.
Today, ISMICS is the leading global society dedicated to advancing minimally invasive cardiothoracic surgery — spanning both cardiac and thoracic disciplines. With more than 1,200 members across 65 countries, the Society drives progress through rigorous scientific analysis, evidence-based education, and a commitment to innovation across surgical techniques, technology, and patient care. Members include surgeons, researchers, and clinicians who share a passion for pushing the boundaries of what minimally invasive surgery can achieve — for the heart, the chest, and the patients who depend on both.
ISMICS also publishes Innovations, its official peer-reviewed journal, and hosts an annual scientific meeting that serves as a premier forum for the global cardiothoracic community.