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.

Cardiologists and surgeons perform world’s first robot-assisted TEER
A 62-year-old women presented with severe MR and recurrent heart failure episodes. Initial data suggest the procedure was a success.
Medicare reimbursement down 29% for cardiologists, 58% for heart surgeons
Physician payments are down slightly across the board, but they've fallen significantly for a handful of specialties. Researchers examined the long-term impact this trend could have on patient care.
Society of Thoracic Surgeons launches new risk calculators for SAVR after TAVR, other key heart surgeries
STS risk calculators are known as a go-to resource for cardiologists, surgeons and any other healthcare providers who manage the care of heart patients.
TAVR, SAVR linked to similar QOL improvements for intermediate-risk patients after five years
TAVR was initially associated with greater benefits than surgery, but that difference faded by the end of the first year.
Q&A: Cleveland Clinic’s Lars Svensson previews AATS annual meeting
Svensson, a prominent voice in cardiothoracic surgery, said he has seen a rise in enthusiasm ahead of this year's meeting.

Since the first U.S. deceased after circulatory death (DCD) heart transplant in late 2019, there has bee ongoing research to determine the best way to utilize this new source of donor hearts. Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine recently published a study in JAMA Network Open about their use of beating heart transplant procedures. It was found to be safe and had additional benefits. By avoiding additional warm and cold ischemic periods it eliminated need for ECMO.

New DCD heart transplant technique could reduce risk of serious injury

This new approach to transplanting deceased after circulatory death (DCD) hearts may offer significant benefits.

March 19, 2024

The rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has helped cardiologists, radiologists, nurses and other healthcare providers embrace precision medicine in a way that ensures more heart patients are receiving personalized care.

Diabetes increases risk of death, complications when patients undergo CABG or PCI for left main disease

Researchers also found that CABG and PCI were each associated with their own advantages and disadvantages, highlighting the importance of shared decision-making.

March 15, 2024

Researchers with UVA Health in Charlottesville, Virginia, have received $2.8 million from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to continue work on a high-tech material that could boost care for hundreds of thousands of heart patients per year.

Vascular ‘paint’ for heart patients earns researchers $2.8M in funding

“Our approach is like deploying tiny guards to protect blood vessels from going bad, so that there is no need to open the body over and over again to repair them,” one specialist explained.

March 11, 2024

FDA announces new Class I recall of drainage systems after 26 injuries

According to the agency, using these devices “may cause serious injuries or death.”

March 7, 2024

Family man from Netherlands named world’s longest-surviving heart transplant recipient

The 57-year-old father of two is still in good health decades after receiving a new heart.

March 4, 2024

Gen 2 Aria CV Pulmonary Hypertension System implanted in patient for first time.

World’s first patient treated with new implantable device for pulmonary hypertension

The procedure, performed on Feb. 14, was part of an early feasibility trial developed with help from the FDA.

February 29, 2024

Pricing for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) varies significantly throughout the United States, according to new findings published in the Journal of the American Heart Association.[1] Researchers emphasized that higher prices were not necessarily associated with better patient outcomes. Photo by Karolina Grabowska via Pexels

Heart surgery prices vary from one part of the US to the next

Researchers explored the costs associated with CABG at more than 500 U.S. hospitals.

February 27, 2024

Ismail El-Hamamsy, MD, PhD, has been named the new president of the Heart Valve Society

Mount Sinai surgeon named new president of Heart Valve Society

Ismail El-Hamamsy, MD, PhD, said he hopes to spend his time as HVS president focused on fostering collaborations and encouraging innovation.

February 23, 2024

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Cardiac Surgery

Cardiologists and surgeons perform world’s first robot-assisted TEER

Medicare reimbursement down 29% for cardiologists, 58% for heart surgeons

Society of Thoracic Surgeons launches new risk calculators for SAVR after TAVR, other key heart surgeries

TAVR, SAVR linked to similar QOL improvements for intermediate-risk patients after five years

Q&A: Cleveland Clinic’s Lars Svensson previews AATS annual meeting

Around the web