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. 

Cardiologist heart

5 key takeaways from new ACC/AHA aortic disease guidelines

The new guidance, published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, covers a variety of topics, including thoracic aortic disease, peripheral artery disease, shared decision-making and cardiac imaging.

November 4, 2022
David Bennett with two of his physical therapists at the University of Maryland Medical Center. #pigheart #pighearttransplant #heartfailure

ECG data from historic pig heart transplant surprise electrophysiologists

“This was a true milestone for research on xenotransplantation," one specialist said. The full analysis is scheduled to be presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2022 in Chicago.

November 1, 2022
A study that analyzed patient outcomes in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in veterans showed outcomes for on-pump and off-pump procedures over 10 years to be similar. Photo by Jim Lennon

Repeat surgery vs. PCI in patients with a history of CABG: A complex decision for heart teams to consider

The study's authors examined data from nearly 10,000 patients for a new meta-analysis, presenting their findings in JTCVS Open.

October 28, 2022
mixed reality LAAO Chase Western Reserve MRI. The group—which includes engineers, cardiologist, radiologists and other specialists—will attempt to perform a robotic-controlled left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) on a patient inside an MRI scanner.

Researchers receive $3.7M to attempt robotic heart surgery inside MRI scanner

The group—which includes engineers, cardiologist, radiologists and other specialists—will attempt to perform a robotic-controlled left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) on a patient inside an MRI scanner.

October 20, 2022
A transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedure being performed at Intermountain Healthcare. Image from Intermountain Healthcare. Sex differences in TAVR one-year mortality.

Severe prosthesis-patient mismatch after TAVR linked to a higher risk of death

Researchers examined data from 82,000 TAVR patients, focusing on echocardiography-defined PPM. They shared their results in JACC: Cardiovascular Imaging.

October 11, 2022
Product Recall

FDA announces Class I recall of circulatory support system after 66 complaints, 2 patient injuries

The recall is due to a malfunction risk that could, if not handled properly, cause the pump to stop working for a long period of time. This could lead to a serious injury or death, according to the recall. 

October 3, 2022
partial heart transplant duke health 2.png

Cardiac surgeons perform the world’s first partial heart transplant

“This procedure potentially solves the problem of a growing valve,” the lead surgeon said. “If we can eliminate the need for multiple open-heart surgeries every time a child outgrows an old valve, we could be extending the life of that child by potentially decades or more.”

September 14, 2022
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SAVR after TAVR is rare, but linked to a high mortality risk

Researchers tracked data from more than 2,000 patients, noting that surgical bailout, infective endocarditis and paravalvular leak were the most common reasons for surgery to be required after TAVR. The full study was published in the American Journal of Cardiology.

September 7, 2022

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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