Irish doctors are jubilant at the success of a groundbreaking medical breakthrough that will give thousands of heart patients a chance of a longer life.

The first key-hole surgery of its kind in Ireland was performed on two elderly high-risk patients, a man and a woman, in the Blackrock Clinic in south Dublin last week.

Details only emerged on Tuesday when doctors spoke of a new procedure in which lifesaving operations can be carried out on patients for whom open-heart surgery is too risky.

"Quite literally, over the next few years, thousands of people who previously would have been regarded as beyond hope will now have the potential for healthier and longer lives," said a spokesperson for the clinic. "It is a massive breakthrough."

The technique is completely new to Ireland and only came into use in some other European countries and the U.S. last year.

Patients who will most benefit are mainly elderly sufferers of aortic valve stenosis, a narrowing of the aortic valve.

The new technique enables avoidance of the dangers of lengthy open heart surgery and the need to support the patient via a heart-lung machine.

A replacement valve is compressed and placed into the patient's existing valve through a catheter. A balloon is then inserted and inflated to widen the new valve until it pushes the old valve's tissue flaps against the aortic wall. The balloon is then removed and the new valve starts to work immediately.

The spokesperson said, "While open heart surgery is highly successful, the serious nature of the operation means that thousands of older or weaker patients are denied it as doctors fear that they might not survive several hours under general anesthetic, the operation itself, or the aftermath.

"The new technique marks a major breakthrough for these high risk patients who can now receive treatment and enjoy a new lease of life."

Consultant cardiologists Martin Quinn and Peter Crean led the operations. A team of more than 25 people was involved in the two operations.

Blackrock Clinic chief executive Bryan Harty said, "The two patients are in recovery and progressing well. These successful operations are the result of a huge collaborative team effort and months of preparatory work. This is a very exciting time for cardiology in Ireland.

"This new minimally invasive surgery will revolutionize treatment for high risk patients who suffer from narrowing of the aortic valve which is quite common in older people."