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.

Nirav Patel, MD, and award-winning chef Fredrik Berselius

Cardiac surgeon, award-winning chef bring surgical techniques to the kitchen in new cookbook

Each of the book's nine recipes requires at least one advanced surgical technique, highlighting how precision in the operating room can carry over into the kitchen.

Stephanie Golab, MD, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, explains statistics on heart transplant outcomes in older adults

It may be time to revisit patient selection protocols for heart transplants

In a new video interview, Stephanie Golab, MD, examines the latest data on heart transplant outcomes in older adults.

Endocarditis after SAVR more likely with bovine valves

Researchers examined data from more than 21,000 patients treated from 1997 to 2018, publishing their findings in the Journal of the American Heart Association.

Transplant recipients may face risk of aging-related complications if receiving a much older heart

Early research suggests initiating therapy with senescence-inhibiting drugs could limit the risk of these side effects.

Newsweek ranked the 50 best heart hospitals in the world

Hybrid coronary revascularization vs. CABG for multivessel CAD: New meta-analysis tracks long-term outcomes

A hybrid approach may increase the risk of certain adverse events, according to a new meta-analysis focused on long-term outcomes.

Medical malpractice gavel diagnostic error mistake stethoscope

Medical malpractice ruling: Hospital to pay $39M over young heart patient’s death

Prosecutors successfully argued that the patient would not have died if clinicians had ordered a routine CT exam.

Nevada health system accused of creating a heart surgery monopoly in new lawsuit

The health system allegedly ended an ongoing contract with little notice, leaving clinicians and patients without the services of a cardiovascular surgery program.

Early survival data favor valve-in-valve TAVR over redo SAVR—long-term data flip the script

Valve-in-valve TAVR outperforms redo SAVR for the first six months after treatment, according to a new meta-analysis published in the American Journal of Cardiology. Then, however, things begin to shift.

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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

Around the web