Cardiac Surgery

Cardiothoracic surgery includes coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG), heart valve repair or replacement, left ventricular assist device (LVAD) placement, heart transplant, assisting in minimally invasive transcatheter valve structural heart procedures such as TAVR, left atrial appendage (LAA) occlusion, septal myectomy, surgical ablation for arrhythmias, and reconstruction of the heart in congenial heart disease cases. 

doctor examines patient data on their tablet

TAVR, SAVR both linked to low reintervention rates after five years

While most TAVR-related reinterventions occurred in the first year after treatment, most SAVR-related reinterventions occurred in years two through five. The team's full analysis is available in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions.

April 10, 2024
HeartFlow FFR-CT

First-in-human trial shows potential of guiding CABG with cardiac CT and AI—no ICA required

An independent heart team blinded to ICA results was able to deliver helpful guidance for CABG procedures for 99.1% of patients using just CCTA and FFRCT alone. This approach is safe and feasible, researchers wrote, and the next step is to gather additional data. 

April 10, 2024
Newsweek ranked the 50 best heart hospitals in the world

ACC.24: TAVR linked to lower 1-year mortality, stroke rates than SAVR in low-risk patients

TAVR is noninferior to SAVR when treating low-risk patients, according to new data presented at ACC.24. In fact, it is associated with multiple benefits over surgery.

April 8, 2024
While a vast majority of heart transplants in the United States are successful, unplanned hospitalizations after the procedures are still incredibly common. Top 10 reasons for readmission after heart transplant.

On-pump vs. off-pump CABG: No difference in long-term mortality, meta-analysis confirms

Researchers explored data from nearly 70,000 patients, sharing their findings in the American Journal of Cardiology.

April 3, 2024
Newsweek ranked the 50 best heart hospitals in the world

Moderate prosthesis-patient mismatch after SAVR linked to worse long-term outcomes

The long-term impact of moderate PPM remains unclear. To learn more, researchers explored dozens of different studies from over the years, sharing their work in the Journal of the American Heart Association.

April 1, 2024
doctor examines patient data on their tablet

Donor hearts more likely to be accepted when the transplant candidate is female or white

"This finding suggests racial and gender bias as a potential contributor to the organ acceptance decision-making process," researchers wrote in JAMA.

March 29, 2024
American Heart Association and Joint Commission launch new Comprehensive Heart Attack Center certification.

Heart attacks after TAVR: New AMI data ‘reassuring’ at first glance, but questions remain

Hoping to gain a better understanding of how TAVR may impact a patient’s long-term cardiovascular health, researchers explored data from more than 200,000 patients and shared their findings in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions.

March 28, 2024
Newsweek ranked the 50 best heart hospitals in the world

Hospital accused of implanting experimental heart valve in young patient without proper consent

Members of Congress are now asking the FDA to investigate a parent's claim that her 14-year-old son was treated with an experimental heart valve without proper consent. The valve eventually failed and had to be replaced. The hospital has said its heart team did nothing wrong. 

March 26, 2024

Around the web

Eleven medical societies have signed on to a consensus statement aimed at standardizing imaging for suspected cardiovascular infections.

Kate Hanneman, MD, explains why many vendors and hospitals want to lower radiology's impact on the environment. "Taking steps to reduce the carbon footprint in healthcare isn’t just an opportunity," she said. "It’s also a responsibility."

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