The world's first operation to repair a prematurely aged heart was carried out successfully at Rome's S. Camillo hospital on 23-year-old Italian Sammy Basso. Basso is one of about 130 people in the world, and only four in Italy, who suffer from progeria, the extremely rare genetic condition that accelerates ageing.

The complicated operation, carried out on 28 January, was reportedly of a kind normally reserved for elderly patients suffering from heart disease. Basso was aware of the high risks involved in the procedure which was performed by a cardiac surgery team led by Francesco Musumeci, assisted by Roberto Violini and Elio D'Avino.