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.

FDA announces new recall of Medtronic surgical devices over safety concerns
The agency warned that any unused devices should be removed from the market and returned to the manufacturer.
Cardiologists make case against routine interventions for asymptomatic severe AS
Aortic valve replacement is likely inevitable for patients with asymptomatic severe aortic stenosis. Immediately performing TAVR or SAVR, however, may not always be the answer.
So far, so good: TAVR comparable to open heart surgery after 5 years in low-risk patients
Michael J. Reardon, MD, shared the highly anticipated data with a large audience at ACC.25 in Chicago. Overall, he said, these five-year findings suggest TAVR with a supra-annular, self-expanding valve is a safe and effective alternative to SAVR.
Strokes more likely for U.S. heart transplant recipients following policy change
A nationwide policy shift implemented in 2018 was designed to, among other things, improve the waiting list mortality rate. One unintended consequence, however, is that patients are now more likely to experience a stroke after receiving a new heart.
AHA still working to find more patients with severe aortic stenosis who may require care
The initiative is designed to help identify more patients who may require aortic valve replacement. Brian Lindman, MD, provided an update on the project's efforts.

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.

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.

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.”

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.

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.

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.

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.

Staff at the new Fetal Cardiac Clinic at the Heart Institute at Children's Hospital Los Angeles. From left, Director of the Heart Institute David Romberger, RN, MSN, CCRN; attending physician Shuo Wang, MD; Executive Director of the Heart Institute Jennifer Klunder, MHA; Director of the Fetal Cardiac Clinic Jodie Votava-Smith, MD; Chief of the Division of Cardiology and Co-director of the Heart Institute Paul F. Kantor, MBBCh, MSc, FRCPC; and congenital cardiac surgeon Luke Wiggins, MD.

Children’s Hospital Los Angeles unveils new fetal cardiac clinic

Clinic for expectant mothers designed to better diagnose and treat congenital heart defects and heart diseases before birth.

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Cardiac Surgery

FDA announces new recall of Medtronic surgical devices over safety concerns

Cardiologists make case against routine interventions for asymptomatic severe AS

So far, so good: TAVR comparable to open heart surgery after 5 years in low-risk patients

Strokes more likely for U.S. heart transplant recipients following policy change

AHA still working to find more patients with severe aortic stenosis who may require care

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