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.

AI artificial intelligence stethoscope doctor

ChatGPT shows ‘remarkable ability’ to process thoracic surgery data, could help with training and patient care

A research lab led by a veteran cardiothoracic surgeon found that ChatGPT—particularly the GPT-4 model—could 'potentially revolutionize' training in the years ahead.

Heart surgeon charged with 'professional incompetency,' harmful practices

The surgeon, who now lives in a different state, has 20 days to respond to allegations made by the Iowa Board of Medicine.

Laser speckle imaging captures details of blood vessels in a beating donor transplant heart outside the body for viability evaluation. Image from Plyer et al., doi 10.1117/1.JBO.28.4.046007

Laser technology may help determine viability of transplant hearts

A new laser imaging technology may be able to determine which donor hearts are viable for transplant and which will result in poor outcomes, without the need for coronary angiography or use of contrast agents that can damage an explanted heart.

TAVR vs. SAVR in patients with pure aortic regurgitation: Key insights from a new Cleveland Clinic study

Patients with pure native AR are often excluded from clinical trials comparing TAVR and SAVR, leading to a lack of clarity when it comes to the proper treatment of this population.

Abbott Epic Max heart valve for aortic valve disease

Abbott’s new surgical solution for aortic valve disease gains FDA approval

The newly approved valve is the latest addition to Abbott’s Epic surgical valve platform.

The Livanova Essenz heart-lung perfusion machine for cardiopulmonary bypass surgery is designed with updated workflow efficiency, to capture and record electronic data and to tailor therapy top each patient.

FDA clears new LivaNova heart-lung machine for cardiopulmonary bypass procedures

LivaNova PLC developed the new cardio-pulmonary system based on feedback from more than 300 perfusionists.

A transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedure being performed at Intermountain Healthcare. Image from Intermountain Healthcare

10 reasons heart teams may consider SAVR over TAVR when treating aortic stenosis

As much as TAVR's popularity has grown in recent years, there are still many instances when a heart team may find that surgery offers the best path forward.

Q&A: What the rise of private equity investments in cardiology means for cardiologists and their patients

Private equity investors have grown more and more interested in cardiology in recent years. Why the sudden shift? And what does it mean for patient care going forward?

Around the web

Radiology Business

The impact of Trump tariffs on iodine contrast media costs

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?

Radiology Business

Key takeaways from RSNA 2024 for AI, CT, MRI and the radiology staffing shortage

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.

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