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. 

Getinge ending production of cardiopulmonary surgical perfusion systems

The global medtech company is also looking to expand its organ transplant and ECMO portfolios.

CABG coronary artery bypass grafting heart surgery

CABG still the ‘gold standard’ for revascularization in patients with 3-vessel CAD and CKD

The median follow-up period was more than nine years, allowing researchers to compare long-term outcomes after both CABG and PCI. 

healthcare value value-based care money dollar

CABG, TAVR top list of most lucrative heart procedures for hospitals

Other procedures are associated with higher profits—heart transplants, for instance—but CABG and TAVR are performed much more often.

Heart cardiologists doctors surgery

Cardiologists recommend AVR for asymptomatic severe AS—TAVR and surgery both viable options

A trio of leading voices in cardiology reviewed years of data while considering their proposal. The choice between TAVR and SAVR, they added, should be made on a case-by-case basis.

heart surgery cardiac surgeons

Benzodiazepine use before heart surgery: Should it be embraced or restricted?

Benzodiazepines are administered before a majority of cardiac surgeries to lower the risk of intraoperative awareness. At the same time, however, recent studies have suggested they increase the risk of postoperative delirium.

heart drugs with stethoscope

Family of heart patient who died after missing medications in jail settles lawsuit

A 54-year-old heart transplant recipient was unable to take doctor-prescribed medications during his brief stay at a local jail. He died a few days after being released. 

Thumbnail

Ross procedure linked to high levels of safety, effectiveness after 20 years

“It has the added advantage of avoiding oral anticoagulation drugs and the risks associated with lifelong anticoagulation," one researcher explained. "In fact, most of our patients are not on any cardiac medications following one year after surgery.”

Realheart Total Artificial Heart

Swedish total artificial heart tech granted FDA’s humanitarian use designation

Realheart celebrated the news, noting that multiple preclinical trials focused on the technology's safety and effectiveness are currently underway.

Around the web

GE HealthCare said the price of iodine contrast increased by more than 200% between 2017 to 2023. Will new Chinese tariffs drive costs even higher?

Several key trends were evident at the Radiological Society of North America 2024 meeting, including new CT and MR technology and evolving adoption of artificial intelligence.